Trump administration to force US visa applicants to hand over social media details
(Was optional the last couple of years, but will now be required.)
Nearly all travellers to the US will be required to produce details of social media accounts they have used in the previous five years, as well as present and past phone numbers and email addresses.
After the approval of revised visa application forms, the US State Department is now requiring nearly all applicants for US immigrant and non-immigrant visas to list their Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social media usernames.
The change is expected to affect some 15 million foreigners who travel to the US each year, including those who do so for business or education.
Only applicants for certain diplomatic and official visa types are exempted from the requirements.