US demands social media details, email addresses for 5 years from visa applicants

If you are planning to apply for the US visa, you will have to be careful about your social media history. 

Under the new visa rules by Trump administration, all applicants for US visas will have to submit their social media details to the State Department. 

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The State Department regulations say people will have to submit social media names and five years’ worth of email addresses and phone numbers.

An estimated 14 million travellers and 710,000 immigrants to the US each year will be affected by the changes, according to notes in the Federal Register.

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The official said national security is the top priority and every would-be traveller or immigrant already faced screening, including requirements to list their travel history, family member information, and previous addresses.

The controversial policy is part of an “extreme vetting” regime originating with a March 2017 executive order by President Donald Trump.