Do you need to provide your Instagram account when entering the U.S.? Controversy over privacy issues in the visa waiver program

▲ Airport security check (Photo / Darzhi / Illustration)

By Rita

Must you provide the account of a social media platform when entering the United States?According to the website Petapixel,the U.S. government requires certain foreign travelers coming to the U.S. to submit information about their social media accounts before entry, one of the options being Instagram.

This requirement is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and can be found on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form. This program allows citizens of 38 countries to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. The main reason behind this move is the threat of terrorism. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hopes to enhance its control over travelers through their social media to identify potential threats and suspicious individuals.

However, this proposal has immediately drawn criticism and protests, including concerns raised by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union. After all, social media contains not only names, addresses, criminal backgrounds, health conditions, and so on—through social media, individuals' ideologies and beliefs can also be monitored.

Another reason for the protest is that the social media accounts, posts, and networks of Arab and Muslim communities are also exposed to surveillance. Although this option on the form is optional, most travelers will fill it in rather than risk questioning the underlying privacy issues in front of uniformed aviation police. Travelers may avoid unnecessary problems by giving more thought when filling out any forms.