US Government Can Now Ask Travelers to Give Over Their Twitter, Facebook Handles

Planning on visiting the US, well first let’s checkout your social media page.. Oh My! you naughty naughty person – PB/TK

US Government Can Now Ask Travelers to Give Over Their Twitter, Facebook Handles – By Ian Miles Cheong / June 2 2017

Visitors to the United States can now be asked their email addresses and the handles they use on social media. The new US government policy has privacy advocates up in arms, but the Trump administration says it could help weed out travelers with bad intent.

In dozens of countries around the world, visitors to the US must first apply for a travel visa, which is granted by the State Department. It involves a trip to the local US embassy or consulate, or one in a neighboring country, where a government official conducts an in-person interview with the prospective traveler.

According to the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, a supplemental questionnaire that asks visitors about their social media handles will be given to a “fraction of 1% of the 13 or so million people who apply for a visa.” The spokesperson told USA Today that it’s only intended for applicants from whom officials require more information.

The State Department noted that applicants are not asked for their passwords, and consular officers do not add them to their friends list. They will also be asked about their employment history, and members of their family

Continue to heatst.com article: https://heatst.com/politics/us-government-can-now-ask-travelers-about-their-twitter-and-facebook-handles/