A new U.S. proposal could require Danish tourists to hand over extensive online history before being allowed into the country. Experts warn it could have major consequences.

America is tightening its grip on visitors: »It’ll be interesting to see what the tourism stats look like«

Foto: Richard Drew/Ritzau Scanpix
Foto: Richard Drew/Ritzau Scanpix
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Maybe you’re planning a trip to New York this summer. You need to fill out your ESTA application, an electronic travel authorization, but now you’re suddenly asked to provide all your social media profiles from the past five years. And your parents’ names. And your siblings’ birth dates and a list of your old email addresses.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, CBP, is proposing a massive expansion of the current ESTA application. It’s no longer just name, address, and a quick approval check, but an entire catalog of personal history. From Facebook posts to old phone numbers to parents’ previous addresses. A form of digital shadow archive that must now be disclosed to travel to the U.S.

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