The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), representing more than 300,000 Americans employed by travel agencies nationwide, submitted formal comments to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expressing significant concerns regarding proposed changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application.
The proposal, issued pursuant to Executive Order 14161, would require Visa Waiver Program travelers to the United States to disclose up to five years of social media history as a mandatory component of the ESTA process.
“ASTA fully supports the federal government’s responsibility to protect national security and maintain the integrity of our borders,” Peter Lobasso, senior vice president, Industry Affairs and General Counsel at ASTA, said in a statement. “However, the proposed mandatory collection of social media data raises significant privacy, economic and competitive concerns that warrant careful review and greater transparency.”
In its comments, ASTA noted the lack of specificity in CBP’s request for input. The notice does not clarify which platforms would be covered, how applicants would authenticate accounts, how incomplete social media histories would be treated, or how the information would be analyzed, stored or protected. Without this clarity, stakeholders cannot meaningfully assess the operational and economic impact of the proposal.
Travel advisors, who regularly guide clients through complex entry requirements, have reported growing concern among international travelers that government review of social media activity without clearly defined standards could be viewed as intrusive and disproportionate to short-term travel for business or tourism. The uncertainty alone may discourage otherwise eligible visitors from choosing the United States.
The economic stakes are significant. In 2024, international visitors spent $251.6 billion in the United States on travel and tourism-related goods and services. Meanwhile, the United States faces a reported $50 billion travel trade deficit as of 2025, reversing decades of positive balances. Additional entry barriers risk further weakening inbound travel at a time when strengthening it should be a national priority.
ASTA also cautioned that mandatory social media disclosure could trigger reciprocal measures from foreign governments, potentially subjecting U.S. citizens traveling abroad to expanded data collection regimes and inconsistent review standards. Such actions could dampen outbound travel demand and negatively affect U.S.-based travel agencies, tour operators, airlines and related businesses.
Finally, expanded vetting requirements may increase ESTA processing times, creating uncertainty for business and leisure travelers alike and increasing the likelihood of delayed or canceled trips.
ASTA urged CBP to carefully weigh the anticipated security value of the proposal against the potential privacy, economic and competitive consequences and to provide greater detail regarding the scope and implementation of any new requirements.
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