US to demand years of social media and phone data from visa-free travellers
Swiss travellers and visitors from certain countries may soon face stricter United States entry rules. From as early as Monday, applicants for the ESTA electronic permit could be asked to hand over years of personal data—including social media accounts and phone records. Critics claim the measures aim to block dissenters, while officials insist they are for national security.
The United States government has proposed tougher screening for visitors entering under the visa-waiver programme. If approved, applicants will need to provide all phone numbers from the past five years and email addresses from the last decade. They must also list social media usernames from the previous five years and detailed information about family members.
The changes follow a 60-day objection period ending this Sunday. If no delays occur, the rules could take effect on Monday. The United States justifies the move as a way to prevent foreign terrorism and other security threats.
Opposition Democrats and academics argue the policy targets critics of the government. They point to existing checks on foreign students, where officials review online activity—including views on topics like Israel. Meanwhile, the cost of ESTA registration has already risen sharply, from $21 to $40.27, since 30 September 2025.
Swiss travellers have so far reported no major disruptions from the fee hike. But uncertainty remains over the proposed data demands, which were announced for December but have yet to be enforced.
The Federal Data Protection Commissioner has warned travellers to think carefully before sharing the requested information. If implemented, the rules will mark one of the most extensive data collection efforts for United States-bound visitors. Applicants will need to weigh privacy concerns against the requirement to enter the country.
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