Additional details that could be asked may include details about siblings and children and other details such as travel history, employment, spouse(s) and passports, going back by 15 years — against the current five. Details sought of social media identifiers could include all handles and platforms on Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook used or issued over five years as well as all email IDs over the same period. They will be picked, the document said, from “immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities”. On social media identifiers, the document said the department of homeland security already collects details on a voluntary basis, but the state department could now seek them from applicants determined to be posing a terrorist or national security threat. And they will be under direction to “not to engage or interact with individuals on or through social media; not to violate or attempt to violate individual privacy settings; and not to use social media or assess an individual’s social media presence beyond established department guidance”.

Source: Hindustan Times May 05, 2017 14:48 UTC