Australians to be snagged in Trump security upgrades
Travelers from Australia and 41 other countries could be forced to hand over five years’ worth of social media data when entering the US under plans put forward by the Trump administration.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released a list of possible changes to the country’s popular visa-free travel program known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
As part of the renewal, social media accounts will become a “mandatory data element”.
Travelers previously had the option to provide their information online, but this was not mandatory.
Visitors will also need to provide phone numbers they and their families have used for the past five years and email addresses they have used for the past ten years.
The details were included in a request for comment posted online by the Trump administration, which provided 60 days’ notice of the changes.
“CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for ESTA implementation,” the statement reads.
“The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide social media information for the last five years.”
Most Australians traveling to the US fall into ESTA; this form provides a relatively fast and inexpensive route to America for citizens of friendly countries.
As part of the changes, the US government also plans to remove the ESTA website and instead require all potential travelers to apply through a mobile app.
“Currently, applicants can apply for an ESTA through the ESTA website or the ESTA Mobile app. However, poor quality image uploads to the ESTA website have caused applicants to bypass facial comparison screening,” Customs and Border Protection said. he said.
James Paterson, a leading opposition figure, said he would not criticize the United States for overhauling its visa-free programme.
“Some of this is not new. It’s standard information,” he told Sky News on Thursday.
“Just as Australia’s immigration policy is a matter of concern to us, the US government’s immigration policies are actually a matter of concern to the United States,” said Senator Paterson.
