The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

New US directive for visa applicants turns social media feeds into political documents

  • Written by Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

In recent weeks, the US State Department[1] implemented a policy requiring all university, technical training, or exchange program visa applicants to disclose their social media handles used over the past five years. The policy also requires these applicants to set their profiles to public[2].

This move is an example of governments treating a person’s digital persona[3] as their political identity. In doing so, they risk punishing lawful expression, targeting minority voices, and redefining who gets to cross borders based on how they behave online.

Anyone seeking one of these visas will have their social media searched for “indications of hostility[4]” towards the citizens, culture or founding principles of the United States. This enhanced vetting is supposed to ensure the US does not admit anyone who may be deemed a threat.

However, this policy changes how a person’s online presence is evaluated in visa applications and raises many ethical[5] concerns. These include concerns around privacy, freedom of expression, and the politicisation of digital identities.

Digital profiling

The Trump administration has previously taken aim at higher education[6] with the goal of changing the ideological slant of these institutions[7], including making changes to international student enrolment[8] and the role of foreign nationals in US research institutions[9].

Digital rights advocates have expressed concerns this new requirement could lead to self-censorship and hinder freedom of expression[10].

It is unknown exactly which specific online actions will trigger a visa refusal, as the US government hasn’t disclosed detailed criteria. However, guidance to consular officers indicates that digital behaviour suggesting “hostility” toward the US or its values may be grounds for concern.

Internal advice[11] suggests officers are trained to look for social media content that may reflect extremist views, criminal associations or ideological opposition to the US.

Political ‘passport’

In a sense, this policy turns a visa applicant’s online presence into a kind of political passport[12]. It allows for scrutiny[13] not just of past behaviour but also of ideological views.

Digital identity[14] is not just a technical construct. It carries legal, philosophical and historical weight. It can influence access to rights, recognition and legitimacy, both online and offline.

Once this identity is interpreted by state institutions, it can become a tool for control[15] shaped by institutional whims. Governments justify digital surveillance as a way to spot threats. But research consistently shows it leads to overreach[16].

A recent report[17] found that US social media monitoring programs have frequently flagged activists and religious minorities. It also found the programs lacked transparency and oversight.

Digital freedom nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation[18] has warned these tools risk punishing people for lawful expression or for simply being connected to certain communities.

The US is not alone[19] in integrating digital surveillance into border security. China has implemented social credit systems[20]. And the United Kingdom is exploring digital ID systems[21] for immigration control. There are even calls for Australia to use artificial intelligence[22] to facilitate digital border checks.

The United Nations has raised concerns about the global trend toward digital vetting[23] at borders, especially when used without judicial oversight or transparency.

A free speech issue

These new checks could have a chilling effect on self-expression[24]. This is particularly true for those with views that don’t align with governments or who are from minority backgrounds.

We’ve seen this previously. After whistleblower Edward Snowden[25] revealed widespread use of data gathering by US intelligence agencies, people stopped visiting[26] politically sensitive Wikipedia articles. Not because they were told to, but because they feared being watched[27].

This policy won’t just affect visa applicants. It could shift how people use social media in general. That’s because there is no clear rulebook for what counts as “acceptable”. And when no one knows where the line is, people self-censor more than is necessary[28].

What can you do?

If you think you might apply for an affected visa in the future, here are some tips.

1. Audit your social media history now. Old posts, “likes” or follows from years ago may be reviewed and judged out of context. Review your public posts on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and X. Delete or archive anything that might be misconstrued.

2. Separate personal and professional online identities. Consider keeping distinct accounts for private and public engagement. Use pseudonyms for creative or informal content. Immigration authorities are far less likely to misinterpret context when your online presence is clearly tied to your educational or professional goals.

3. Understand your online visibility and history. Even if you have privacy settings enabled, tagged content, public “likes”, comments and follows can still be seen. Algorithms expose content based on associations, not just what you post. Don’t assume your visibility is limited to your followers.

4. Keep records of any deleted or misinterpreted posts. If you think something might be questioned or if you delete posts ahead of an application, keep a backup. Consular officials may request clarification or evidence. It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off-guard without explanation.

Your social media is no longer a personal space. It may be used by governments to determine whether you fit in.

References

  1. ^ US State Department (www.state.gov)
  2. ^ set their profiles to public (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ digital persona (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. ^ indications of hostility (www.politico.com)
  5. ^ raises many ethical (academic.oup.com)
  6. ^ higher education (www.whitehouse.gov)
  7. ^ ideological slant of these institutions (www.nytimes.com)
  8. ^ international student enrolment (edition.cnn.com)
  9. ^ role of foreign nationals in US research institutions (www.npr.org)
  10. ^ self-censorship and hinder freedom of expression (www.devdiscourse.com)
  11. ^ Internal advice (www.politico.com)
  12. ^ political passport (www.jstor.org)
  13. ^ scrutiny (heinonline.org)
  14. ^ Digital identity (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  15. ^ tool for control (www.jstor.org)
  16. ^ leads to overreach (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  17. ^ report (www.brennancenter.org)
  18. ^ Electronic Frontier Foundation (www.eff.org)
  19. ^ The US is not alone (www.ohchr.org)
  20. ^ social credit systems (www.technologyreview.com)
  21. ^ digital ID systems (committees.parliament.uk)
  22. ^ to use artificial intelligence (www.aspistrategist.org.au)
  23. ^ global trend toward digital vetting (www.ohchr.org)
  24. ^ chilling effect on self-expression (www.frontiersin.org)
  25. ^ Edward Snowden (www.britannica.com)
  26. ^ people stopped visiting (btlj.org)
  27. ^ feared being watched (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  28. ^ self-censor more than is necessary (firstmonday.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/new-us-directive-for-visa-applicants-turns-social-media-feeds-into-political-documents-260201

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Flipping vs. Holding: Which Investment Strategy Is Right for You?

Are you wondering whether flipping a property or holding onto it is the better investment strategy? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Both strategies have distinct advantages a...

Why Everyone's Talking About Sea Moss - And Should You Try It Too?

Sea moss - a humble marine plant that’s been used for centuries - is making a major comeback in modern wellness circles. And it’s not just a trend. With growing interest from athle...

A Guide to Smarter Real Estate Accounting: What You Might Be Overlooking

Real estate accounting can be a complex terrain, even for experienced investors and property managers. From tracking rental income to managing property expenses, the financial in...

What Is the Dreamtime? Understanding Aboriginal Creation Stories Through Art

Aboriginal culture is built on the deep and important meaning of Dreamtime, which links beliefs and history with the elements that make life. It’s not just myths; the Dreamtime i...

How Short-Term Lenders Offer Long-Lasting Benefits in Australia

In the world of personal and business finance, short-term lenders are often viewed as temporary fixes—quick solutions for urgent cash needs. However, in Australia, short-term len...

Why School Breaks Are the Perfect Time to Build Real Game Skills

School holidays provide uninterrupted time to focus on individual skill development Players often return sharper and more confident after structured break-time training Holid...