As of last week, the U.S. government wants to be your Facebook friend if you are planning to travel to the U.S. as a tourist. Application forms now ask for a list of your social media accounts and usernames.
The Hill, a Washington, DC publication that tracks Congress and other government agencies, was told by the State Department that “As we’ve seen around the world in recent years, social media can be a major forum for terrorist sentiment and activity. This will be a vital tool to screen out terrorists, public safety threats, and other dangerous individuals from gaining immigration benefits and setting foot on U.S. soil.”
The spokesperson also warned that anyone failing to comply or giving incomplete information might “face serious immigration issues.” For the moment, information is not required for ESTA applicants from Visa Waiver Program countries, but is requested.
Chillingly, the form does not require applicants to give their passwords. Apparently, the government doesn’t need that to have a look at what you’ve been posting…
