US wants visitors to reveal their social media user names

[HEXUS]

A request for Facebook, Twitter, and other IDs, now forms part of the ESTA application.

Read more.

[Smudger]

Oh wow. The rise of Fascism. Let me guess, you won't be let in if you criticise or like any criticism of man-baby Trump?

[darkKnight54]

Very very worrying precedent.

[cheesemp]

Very very worrying president.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

So the UK and US for decades was moaning about China and surveillance of its citizens and now are heading towards doing the same.

[excalibur1814]

Oh wow. The rise of Fascism. Let me guess, you won't be let in if you criticise or like any criticism of man-baby Trump?

What does this have to do with Trump? Surely this was implemented way BEFORE Trump came along. I'm from the U.K. so understand that this might mean something to me but at no point do I blame Trump.

[Corky34]

Oh wow. The rise of Fascism. Let me guess, you won't be let in if you criticise or like any criticism of man-baby Trump?

I'm not a Trumpian but to say he's to blame when this was brought in under Obama is a bit unfair, this trend of exchanging privacy for (supposed) security isn't a partisan thing, governments and politicians of all flavors all over the world are taking away basic liberties in the name of security.

So the UK and US for decades was moaning about China and surveillance of its citizens and now are heading towards doing the same.

Arguably we're already ahead of China when it comes to a surveillance state.

[ik9000]

What about those of us who don't use them? Is there a suitable box for "N/A"

[Flibb]

What about those of us who don't use them?

Err it's optional, so even if you do use social media you don't have to tell them.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

[Unique]

so if you are up to anything dodgy you just make a facebook and twitter account and post all nice stuff and link the ETSA to it and you've ticked their boxes instead of ignored them, and not provided anything of value?

you would need to be an idiot if you linked to a social media account that listed dodgy stuff

mind in the old days didn't you have to tick to say you weren't a communist or committed crimed onthe old form? as if anyone would tick yes knowing that means you won't get in

[flearider]

I find it easier just not to go to the states .. place scares me to much ..shootings violence and that's just the police force ...
Canada's fine tho

[The Hand]

So potentially overtime, you might raise more eyebrows if you don't use social media at all?

[ik9000]

Err it's optional, so even if you do use social media you don't have to tell them.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

yes but "i don't use it" is different from "not telling you".

[AETAaAS]

yes but "i don't use it" is different from "not telling you".

Well the article just says it's optional, so I'm guessing it is that, rather than having a 'None' option.

I'm interested in this line from the article.

"the Social Media section of the ESTA form is 'optional'. Many people will fill it in to avoid potential delays and hope to minimise the already lengthy process"

I think people would fill it in, so you wont have to be at the airport and have the agent go;

"Sorry, what was your user name again?"

Traveller: (quietly) "xXxPu55ySl4yr[420]YOLOm4gIC, yes with the square brackets, change these to upper case... and those are numbers"

"Let me get my supervisor"

[iworrall]

It's only optional until it isn't.

[AGTDenton]

so if you are up to anything dodgy you just make a facebook and twitter account and post all nice stuff and link the ETSA to it and you've ticked their boxes instead of ignored them, and not provided anything of value?

you would need to be an idiot if you linked to a social media account that listed dodgy stuff

Yep this would be what I'd do, list my now unused Facebook account and other unused accounts. Quickly log in and like Care Bears, Detroit, Jesus and the like before setting off, that should raise no concerns.
Maybe one day Hexus will be added to that list...