December 11, 2025, 10:47 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Anyone planning to travel to the U.S. in the future may have to prepare for an extensive review of their digital past on social media. The U.S. government under President Donald Trump is planning a new entry regulation that is quite significant. This also affects travelers from Germany.
As BILD reports, the Customs and Border Protection agency intends to make social media data a mandatory inquiry. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the agency is adding “social media as a mandatory data element.” This would significantly tighten entry controls.
The measure specifically targets citizens of the approximately 40 countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). These include Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany. For citizens of these countries, a visa-free entry is currently possible for stays of up to 90 days with an ESTA authorization.
ESTA Visitors Under Increased Scrutiny
According to the government’s plan, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will soon require the disclosure of social media activities from the past five years. The regulation is part of a broader plan to tighten immigration control. Enhancing security measures for entry into the United States is also a focus.
The proposal is not yet in effect. It will first be published in the Federal Register. Afterward, a 60-day consultation phase will begin, during which the proposal can be publicly discussed.
Protection Against Terrorism as Justification
The U.S. agency justifies the planned change with the “protection of the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other threats to national and public security.” The evaluation of social media data is part of a larger system for comprehensive tracking and monitoring of entries and exits in the U.S.
As reported by the “Washington Post,” according to BILD, the government has already reviewed millions of people in advance. This included those who are already legally residing in the U.S. Online activities had already come into focus before.
Based on these findings, the government wanted to revoke visas. This was the case, for example, if there were indications of overstaying or criminal behavior.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also announced plans to check whether applicants for a residence permit have posted “anti-American” statements on social networks. The U.S. government has been rigorously targeting migrants without a valid residency status for years. In the future, digital traces could also become an issue.