‘Censorship pure and simple’: critics hit out at Trump plan to vet visitors’ social media

The Trump administration is planning to require visa applicants from 42 countries, including the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan, to provide social media, phone, and email histories for vetting before entering the US under the commonly used ESTA visa waiver program. The Department for Homeland Security plans to require ESTA applicants to provide social media from the last five years, telephone numbers used in the last five years, and email addresses used in the last 10 years. Free speech advocates are criticizing the plan, accusing the administration of censorship and infringing on civil liberties. Critics warn that the policy could lead to self-censorship and negatively impact tourism, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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