CBP to require social media for ESTA
U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a Federal Register notice Tuesday proposing to make social media accounts from the past five years a mandatory field on Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications under the Visa Waiver Program, citing Executive Order 14161. The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal, which would expand pre-entry screening for travelers from countries like the U.K., France, Italy and Japan.
đ Key Facts
- CBP Federal Register notice filed Dec. 9, 2025 adds social media as a mandatory ESTA data element.
- Applicants would need to provide social media history from the last 5 years.
- The notice opens a 60-day public comment period before implementation.
đ Relevant Data
Between 1994 and 2020, there were 893 terrorist attacks and plots in the United States, with the vast majority perpetrated by domestic actors, while foreign terrorist organizations inspired or directed only 19 attacks.
The Escalating Terrorism Problem in the United States â CSIS
Europe's Muslim population has grown to an estimated 46 million in 2025, representing about 6% of the continent's total population of roughly 745 million, up from approximately 25.8 million (4.9%) in 2016, largely due to immigration from non-EU countries.
Which European Countries Will Become Muslim? Potential Tripling by 2050 â Next Big Future
In 2021, there were 15 terrorist attacks in the EU, with 2 fatalities resulting from jihadist attacks, and jihadist terrorism remains the main concern for Member States.
Terrorism in the EU: facts and figures â Consilium.europa.eu