The American
Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is pushing back against a proposed change
to the U.S. government’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA),
warning that it could discourage international visitors and create ripple
effects across the global travel industry.
In formal comments
submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ASTA raised concerns
about a proposal that would require travelers from Visa Waiver Program
countries to disclose
up to five years of social media history as a mandatory part of their ESTA
application. The proposal hearkens back to Executive Order 14161 and would
apply to short-term visitors traveling to the U.S. for business or tourism.
ASTA, which
represents more than 300,000 Americans employed by travel agencies nationwide,
says it understands the government’s role in safeguarding borders, but believes
this proposal raises more potential problems than it solves.
“ASTA fully
supports the federal government’s responsibility to protect national security
and maintain the integrity of our borders,” said Peter Lobasso, Senior Vice
President, Industry Affairs and General Counsel at ASTA. “However, the proposed
mandatory collection of social media data raises significant privacy, economic
and competitive concerns that warrant careful review and greater transparency.”
One of ASTA’s
biggest issues with the proposal is how vague it is. According to the
organization, CBP has not clearly explained which social media platforms would
be included, how travelers would verify their accounts, or what happens if
someone has incomplete or limited social media activity. There’s also little
detail on how the information would be reviewed, stored or protected.
Without those
specifics, ASTA argues, it’s nearly impossible for industry stakeholders—or, indeed,
prospective travelers —to understand the proposal’s real-world impact or
prepare themselves for it.
Using social media on vacation. (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Rawpixel.com)
Travel advisors
are already reporting increased anxiety from their international clients, ASTA
says. The idea that U.S. officials could review years of personal social media
activity, without clear standards or limitations, feels overly intrusive and
disconcerting, especially to those who are only planning short visits. Even the
uncertainty alone could be enough to deter travelers from choosing the U.S. as their
destination.
That hesitation
could prove quite costly. International visitors spent $251.6 billion in the
U.S. in 2024 on travel- and tourism-related goods and services. At the same
time, the country is facing a reported $50 billion travel trade deficit in 2025,
representing a stinging reversal after decades of positive balances. ASTA warns
that adding new obstacles could further weaken inbound travel at a time when the
government should be trying to bolster it.
The organization warned
that, if the U.S. moves forward with mandatory social media disclosures for
foreign visitors, other countries could respond with similar rules for U.S.
travelers. That could mean American travelers facing stricter data requests and
inconsistent screening protocols when traveling abroad—something that may
discourage international trips and negatively impact U.S.-based travel
agencies, tour operators, airlines and other travel businesses.
There’s also the
practical concern of adding extra red tape to an already time-consuming screening
system. More intensive vetting could slow down ESTA approvals, increasing the
risk of delayed or canceled trips for both leisure and business travelers.
ASTA is petitioning
CBP to take a step back, weigh the proposed security benefits against the
privacy and economic risks, and provide far more clarity before going ahead
with any changes to the ESTA process.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
