Irish visitors to the US will be required to disclose their social media histories from the last five years before entering the country, according to plans published by the Trump administration.
The proposal laid out in a notice published yesterday in the US Federal Register would apply to visitors from 42 countries, including Ireland, Britain, France, Australia and Japan, who do not need a visa to enter the United States.
Currently, visitors from those countries only need to apply for a waiver known as the Electonic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which still requires them to provide certain personal details.
Under the proposed new rules, the collection of social media data would become a "mandatory" part of ESTA applications.
Applicants would need to provide their social media histories from the last five years, according to the notice.
They would also have to submit other 'high-value data fields' including phone numbers from the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, personal details of family members and biometric information.
Irish Member of the European Parliament Barry Andews called the proposal "outrageous".
"Even the worst authoritarian states in the world do not have such an official policy," the Fianna Fáil MEP said in a statement.
"If enacted, this will have serious consequences for Irish businesses seeking to invest in the US and vice-versa for the IDA seeking American foreign direct investment into Ireland.
"The plans would of course seriously damage the US tourist industry as millions of Europeans would no longer feel safe traveling to on an American holiday, including football fans due to attend next year's World Cup.
"The EU must make clear to President Trump that these plans are unworkable and cannot be enacted."
The public in the US has 60 days to comment on the proposal.
The Trump administration has tightened curbs on entering the US, part of a sweeping crackdown on migration.
Along with Mexico and Canada, the country will host the 2026 World Cup, which is certain to attract large numbers of soccer fans from across the world.
