If you don’t already have a US visa in your passport, you’re now going to have to share your social media details with the US government when you do so. The US State Department recently updated its immigration policy, making such submissions a requirement for people seeking entry into the country.
Specifically, applicants will now have to submit their social media usernames, prior email addresses, and currently existing phone numbers. The ruling, which was proposed back in March 2018, is expected to affect approximately 15 million people who apply for US visas each year.
The requirement is understandable, depending on who you ask. In the case of the US. Prior to this, the US government merely required such details from individuals who had visited countries and areas it deems to be under terrorist control.
By expanding the requirement, the US hopes to identify and spot potential extremists. Who spouts their extremist ideologies online, and prevent the legal wrangle it went through with Apple when US law enforcement bodies want to access the phone of the San Bernadino shooting.
(Source: AP, Engadget // Image: Getty Images)
