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Industry group warns of 'chilling effect' of US's social media rules for foreign visitors

The proposed rule would require travelers from countries in the visa waiver program to submit the social media data.

Published on: Dec 15, 2025, 23:01:17 IST
Reuters
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A group representing the U.S. travel and tourism industry warned Monday that a proposal to require millions of foreign visitors to provide social media handles used over the past five years could have a "chilling effect" on visits to the United States.

File photo of the  US Capitol. Photo for representation. (REUTERS)
File photo of the US Capitol. Photo for representation. (REUTERS)

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The proposed change, announced in a U.S. government notice last week and expected to take effect on February 8, would require travelers from countries in the visa waiver program to submit the social media data.

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"If we get this policy wrong, millions of travelers could take their business and the billions of dollars they spend elsewhere, only making America weaker," the U.S. Travel Association said Monday in a statement. "

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