US Visa Waiver: Proposed Rules Could Demand Social Media, DNA, Family Data

• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed significant changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
• Proposed rules require VWP travelers to submit "high-value data," including 5 years of social media history, 10 years of email IDs/IP addresses, and 5 years of phone numbers.
• Potential future requirements could include iris scans and DNA samples, along with detailed family information.
• These changes would affect citizens from approximately 40 VWP countries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan.
• The proposal is driven by national security concerns and is currently open for a 60-day public comment period, with current rules remaining in effect.

Why It Matters: US proposes extensive data collection for visa-free travel, raising privacy concerns.