New US proposal would ask Chinese visitors to disclose social media info

Image: AFP Relaxnews

Chinese visitors to the United States may be asked to disclose their social media information, based on the latest proposal put forth by the U.S. government.

In the proposal, posted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, Chinese visitors would be prompted to reveal their social media handles on the Electronic Visa Update System, reports Politico.com.

The new instruction would apply mostly to Chinese holders of long-term U.S. business and visitor visas.

“Please enter information associated with your online presence – Provider/Platform – Social media identifier,” reads the instruction.

Answering would be optional. Those who decline to disclose their details would have their travel requests processed “without a negative interpretation or inference.”

Some of the most popular social media websites in China are Sino Weibo (the Chinese equivalent of Twitter) and Renren.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal. It is the latest move out of Homeland Security aimed at tightening up U.S. borders.

Last week, it was also revealed that the Trump administration is looking at requiring foreign visitors to give up passwords to their social media accounts.

Customs officials started collecting social media information from people entering the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program last year. JB

RELATED STORY:

US may soon demand visitors to surrender social media passwords