USA visitors may have to reveal social media passwords if the Trump administration introduces what it calls “extreme vetting.”
The Trump administration is considering introducing “extreme vetting.” procedures for visitors to the USA according to the Wall Street Journal. These measures will have far reaching effects for many visitors including having to hand over mobile phones, all social media passwords and answer questions relating to “idealogy.”
if these measures are to be introduced, it could apply to “visitors from America’s closest allies as well as other nations” which could include the UK, Germany and France and would also mean visa applications will come under intense scrutiny.
“We will do it when we think there’s a reason to do it,” US Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly told a US Senate committee hearing last week.
For any tourists considering visiting the USA in the near future, it would be wise to keep on top of this quickly changing scenario. This is of course, unwelcome news, particularly following the events surrounding passengers aboard a recent United flight, although this was a completely unrelated incident.
However, since Trump has taken office, there has been an attempt to ban visitors from six Muslim countries and restrict laptops and large electronic items to hold baggage only. A measure which has also been introduced in the UK too. it affects passengers travelling from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has refused to rule out widening the ban to other countries.
