Going to The world Cup In USA - Get Ready To Show 5 Years of your social media to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

11th December 2025

Under newly proposed U.S. regulations, UK travellers (and others from visa‑waiver countries) may soon be required to provide up to five years of social media history when applying for entry to the United States.

This would be part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process, which is mandatory for short stays without a visa.

What's Being Proposed
Mandatory social media disclosure: Travelers from the UK and other Visa Waiver Program countries would need to list all social media handles used in the past five years.

Expansion of ESTA requirements: Currently, providing social media information is optional. The new rule would make it a mandatory data element.

Additional identifiers: Applicants may also need to provide phone numbers, email addresses, and even upload a selfie as part of biometric screening.

Applies to all visitors: Whether traveling with a visa or under ESTA, the requirement would cover all foreign tourists, including Britons.

Timeline & Status
The proposal was published in December 2025 in the U.S. Federal Register.

It is not yet law — the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are currently seeking public comment.

If adopted, the rules could be in place before major events like the 2026 World Cup, which will bring many UK visitors to the U.S..

Risks & Considerations
Privacy concerns: Travelers would be exposing personal online activity to U.S. border authorities.

Travel impact: UK tourism to the U.S. could be affected, as some may be deterred by the requirement.

Consistency with visa rules: Visa applicants already face similar requirements; this change would align ESTA travellers with those stricter standards.

Potential delays: More data to review could mean longer processing times for ESTA approvals.

What This Means for UK Travelers
If you plan to visit the U.S. in the near future, be prepared that social media disclosure may become mandatory.

For now, the requirement is still under review — you don't have to provide social media history unless the rule is finalized.

Keep an eye on updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security before booking travel.

Likely Timeline Toward Finalization

December 2025

Proposal published in the Federal Register by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Rule opens for public comment (standard 60‑day period).

January-February 2026

Public comment period runs. Individuals, advocacy groups, and governments (including the UK) can submit feedback.

CBP reviews comments and prepares a final rule.

March-April 2026

CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issue a final rule if they decide to proceed.

Implementation guidance is published, detailing what travellers must provide (social media handles, phone numbers, emails, selfies, etc.).

May-June 2026

The rule could take effect in time for the World Cup.

ESTA and visa application systems updated to make social media disclosure mandatory.

UK travellers planning to attend matches in the U.S. would need to comply.

July 2026

The FIFA World Cup begins across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

If finalized, UK fans entering the U.S. would already be subject to the new requirement.

UK travellers would be required to disclose their social media identifiers (usernames/handles) from the past five years, not the actual posts themselves. The proposed U.S. rule focuses on account information rather than content, though officials could review public posts once accounts are identified.

Exact Social Media Details Likely Required
Usernames/handles: Travellers must list all identifiers they've used on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and others.

Platforms: Applicants must specify which platforms each username belongs to.

Timeframe: Five years of history — every account used during that period must be disclosed.

Additional identifiers: Alongside social media, travellers may also need to provide:

Phone numbers (past five years)

Email addresses (past five years)

Family member names (in some cases)

A selfie upload for biometric verification

What Is Not Required
Posts themselves: Travelers won't be asked to upload or copy their posts. However, once accounts are disclosed, U.S. authorities may review public content.

Private passwords: The rule does not require handing over login credentials.

Deleted accounts: Only active identifiers are expected, though travellers may be asked about past accounts if they existed within the five‑year window.

Risks & Considerations
Privacy concerns: Even though only usernames are disclosed, this gives U.S. officials direct access to public posts and connections.

Free speech issues: Reports suggest travellers have already been denied entry based on unfavourable comments about U.S. leaders.

Travel disruption: Failure to disclose all identifiers could result in ESTA denial or visa refusal.

UK visitors would need to list all social media usernames and platforms used in the past five years, plus related identifiers like phone numbers and emails. They would not have to provide posts or passwords, but U.S. officials could review public activity once accounts are known.

For some people this will be a huge task to recall the user names and passwords and email addresses unless they are all written some place. If spending a huge amount for tickets, travel, hotel etc better be accurate in case refused entry.

Have to proactively show their mobile phones to U.S. border officials as part of routine entry. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers do have the legal authority to inspect phones, laptops, and other electronic devices at the border without a warrant.

Current Practice
Not automatic: You don’t have to hand over your phone every time you enter the U.S.

Possible inspection: CBP officers can request access to your device if they believe it’s necessary for security or immigration checks.

Scope of search: They may look at stored data (contacts, photos, messages) and sometimes ask for passwords to unlock the device.

Social media checks: While the proposed new rule would require disclosure of usernames, CBP already sometimes reviews public social media activity during inspections.

Key Points
Authority exists: U.S. border officials can search electronic devices without a warrant under "border search" powers.

Frequency: Such searches are relatively rare — affecting a small percentage of travellers — but they have been increasing in recent years.

Rights: Travelers can refuse to unlock their phone, but this may lead to denial of entry or device confiscation.