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IPFS News Link • Homeland Security

The U.S. Government Wants to Read Travelers' Tweets Before Letting Them In

• https://theintercept.com, Cora Currier

U.S. Customs and Border Protection wants to start collecting "information associated with your online presence" from travelers from countries eligible for a visa waiver, including much of Europe and a handful of other countries. Earlier this summer, the agency proposed including a field on certain customs forms for "provider/platform" and "social media identifier," making headlines in the international press. If approved by the Office of Management and Budget, the change could take effect as soon as December.

Privacy groups in recent weeks have pushed back against the idea, saying it could chill online expression and gives DHS and CBP overbroad authority to determine what kind of online activity constitutes a "risk to the United States" or "nefarious activity."


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