The U.S. government just proposed a deeply invasive new rule: foreign tourists entering the country could soon be required to turn over five years’ worth of their social media histories, email addresses, phone numbers, and even the names and addresses of their family members.

This policy, if implemented, would apply to all travelers — including those from visa-exempt countries like the U.K., Germany, Japan, and others.

This is a massive overreach by the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.

It’s not just an attack on digital privacy — it’s a dangerous step toward normalizing government surveillance of lawful travelers based on their personal online expression. People should not have to submit their private messages and social media activity just to go on vacation, visit family, or attend a conference in the U.S.

There is no clear evidence that collecting years of social media data from tourists improves public safety. What it does do is open the door to discrimination, political profiling, and the chilling of free speech. People may be forced to censor themselves online for fear of being flagged or denied entry. And requiring public access to private social accounts puts activists, journalists, and vulnerable individuals at even greater risk.

With the U.S. set to host international events like the FIFA World Cup, this policy could send a dangerous message: that we no longer welcome the world with open arms, but with suspicion and surveillance.

We call on Secretary of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency to immediately withdraw this proposed rule and protect the right to digital privacy.

Let’s build a nation that values freedom of expression and civil liberties — not one that demands access to your private life just to cross the border.

Add your name to say: tourists shouldn’t be forced to hand over their social media lives to enter the U.S.