Scots going to World Cup in US to face social media history checks

Scotland fans travelling for the World Cup will be affected by the changes <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Scotland fans travelling for the World Cup will be affected by the changes (Image: PA)
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TOURISTS – including Scots travelling to the US for next year’s World Cup – could be asked to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry to the US.

The new proposal unveiled by American officials would affect people from dozens of countries who can visit the US for 90 days without a visa, as long as they have filled out an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.

According to a notice from America's federal register on Tuesday, foreign tourists would need to provide their social media from the last five years.

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The plans would also make it “mandatory” to hand over email addresses and telephone numbers used in the last five years, as well as the names, addresses, numbers and birthdays of family members.

It comes as the US expects a major influx of visitors – including the Tartan Army – for the men’s football World Cup with Canada and Mexico next year.

The move will potentially affect the tens of thousands of Scots who are expected to descend on the US next summer as the national team makes its first World Cup appearance in nearly 30 years.

Scotland’s group stage fixtures against Haiti and Morocco will be played in Boston with the Brazil game taking place in Miami.

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