Donald Trump’s social media United States travel requirement: Australians to hand over five years of history

Australians, New Zealanders and citizens from around 40 other countries with visa-exempt conditions may soon be forced to hand over five years of online history if they want to enter the United States.

The new proposal, which has been formally submitted by Donald Trump’s administration, would see Australians attempting to enter the United States with a 90-day Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) form forced to hand over personal social media information. If travellers do not hand over the data, if the new rule is brought in, they would be refused entry.

In documents filed by the US Government, the Trump administration says, “the data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last 5 years”, however, stops short of detailing the extent of the extent of information required to be granted access.

Australians hoping to travel to the United States in 2026 will need to stay alert to the likely introduction of changes, which could be brought in as soon as February.

The new requirement would be in addition to the $US40 ($60) fee that Australians, and citizens from other eligible countries, are required to pay to apply for an ESTA.

The proposal, which can be read on the US Federal Register website, would also see the US Government collect “high value data elements” for those hoping to enter the country with an ESTA.

That high value data would include:

• Telephone numbers used in the last five years
• Email addresses used in the last ten years
• IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photos
• Family member names (parents, spouse, siblings, children)
• Family number telephone numbers used in the last five years
• Family member dates of birth
• Family member places of birth
• Family member residencies
• Biometrics—face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris
• Business telephone numbers used in the last five years
• Business email addresses used in the last ten years

When will US travel changes be introduced?

US citizens have 60 days to comment on the new proposal, with experts predicting the sweeping changes will be introduced after that period.

The proposal would also see the existing ESTA Website “decommissioned”, with a new ESTA mobile application brought in to replace the system, citing concerns over “bad actors” currently being able to exploit technical vulnerabilities to gain access to the United States.

“While transitioning to a mobile-only ESTA system may present some initial challenges, the long-term benefits, including enhanced security and fraud reduction, make the transition a viable national security decision,” the proposal says.

Australian parents travelling with their children would also be required to hand over the applicable data of their children, potentially causing holiday headaches for millions.