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US Customs Wants To Know Travelers' Social Media Account Names (helpnetsecurity.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the you-have-a-new-follower dept.

Orome1 quotes a report from Help Net Security: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget, asking for permission to collect travelers social media account names as they enter the country. The CBP, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, proposes that the request "Please enter information associated with your online presence -- Provider/Platform -- Social media identifier" be added to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and to the CBP Form I-94W (Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure). "It will be an optional field to request social media identifiers to be used for vetting purposes, as well as applicant contact information," the CBP noted. "Collecting social media data will enhance the existing investigative process and provide DHS greater clarity and visibility to possible nefarious activity and connections by providing an additional tool set which analysts and investigators may use to better analyze and investigate the case." The public and affected agencies are asked to comment on the request within 60 days of its publication. Commenters are asked to send their comments to this address.

6 of 397 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Easier to Travel To China by Harlequin80 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    China is still more effort to get a visa for than the US, for Aussies anyway. But the airports, customs, border control & security theatre in the US is worse.

    I will definitely agree with you on the feeling safe part. China just feels safe.

  2. *Sigh* by DivineKnight · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They don't learn, do they? L'il Bobby Tables & friends it is then. They're probably running some version of Oracle on the backend, so keep that in mind while you are registering your new completely legitimate social media account names expressly for this use.

  3. Same Same Thailand by jmd · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Thai Immigration is beginning to request the same information of foreigners entering or staying in the country. Thailand is under military junta at the moment.

    I am living in Thailand on a Non - Immigrant retirement visa and had thought I might leave, in part, due to this invasion of privacy. But I see the US junta has the same aspirations.

  4. Re:Easier to Travel To China by TechyImmigrant · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yep. I was passing through China to Malaysia, but had an overnight stay. They let me get a day visa to visit the city by filling in a small form and going through the passport inspection line with it. No advance planning required.

    --
    I should use this sig to advertise my book ISBN-13 : 978-1501515132.
  5. Why would you not give your name? by EzInKy · · Score: 3, Interesting

    If you care little enough about privacy to be on "social media" why would you care?

    --
    Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
  6. Re:TL;DR by hughbar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yes, it's very sad. Last time I went was 1989, I'm 65, a Londoner and not planning on going again. Mid 80's I went out with someone from Oregon and was made very welcome, they enjoyed my strange accent too. New York too, immediately you arrive you feel that you drank about five cups of strong coffee (though I guess New Yorkers are immune?).

    I don't think the people have changed that much and, very often, they are lovely. But the government etc. seems to have.

    --
    On y va, qui mal y pense!