You might soon be required to submit details of your online presence to US authorities

The US Customs and Border Patrol has submitted a proposal that would require visitors to enter “information associated with their online presence” when filling out immigration and Visa application forms as well as an associated electronic form. The forms will request information a list of social media platforms. In light of the San Bernadino shootings, the state department and other US agencies have reportedly been under pressure to scrutinise social media more closely. This is because one of the attackers put up posts on Facebook during the attack and also sent private messages on the platform. US authorities hope that having the social media data will help them in their investigations, should the need arise. The Verge reports that there is no clarity on how the concerned departments will deal with that information, however. The US Customs and Border Patrol announcement has been quoted as stating that, ““Collecting social media data will enhance the existing investigative process and provide DHS greater clarity and visibility to possible nefarious activity and connections.” Members of the public will be given 60 days to comment on the issue, and all those comments will be taken into consideration before the proposal is accepted.