The United States is considering new requirements that would force millions of foreign visitors to hand over years of personal online activity before being allowed to enter the country. It is part of a broader shift toward heightened screening that makes America feel far less welcoming to travelers.
I understand border security. I understand the desire to catch real threats. But this kind of policy casts everyone as a potential criminal. A family coming to Disneyland from the UK should not have to worry that a joke on social media from years ago may surface during a border inspection. It sends exactly the wrong message about who we are and who we want to welcome.
Of course, that’s my political take, and I expect others will (respectfully) disagree. But I’m against it because I don’t want to go to Canada or Japan or Germany and face similar scrutiny. And frankly, if the USA starts such onerous requirements for tourists from visa waiver nations to visit this country, then full reciprocity would be understandable.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
