More Canadians opt to stay local amid latest U.S. travel proposal

The United States is proposing new requirements for tourists coming into the country, which includes forcing some people to provide social media history for the past five years.

Some say it’s an invasion of privacy, with one travel writer opting to not go to the U.S. at all.

Travel writer Natalie Preddie says the proposal adds another layer of discomfort going to the States.

“It’s something to keep in mind going to the U.S.,” Preddie said. “It’s a reason why people around the world just aren’t going anymore.”

The potential requirement would apply to those using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization also known as ESTA.

It’s an online application for a visa waiver program, which asks for information like birth date and past criminal activities.

The United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and New Zealand are among the 42 countries that use the program.

“Its something to keep in mind going to the States, and it’s a reason why people around the world just aren’t going anymore.”

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People travelling with a Canadian passport do not need an ESTA, but Preddie says she’s still not going.

“I feel that it’s not necessarily a safe place for me and my family as well,” she said.

In Niagara Falls, a couple visiting from the U.K. said the proposals make the already difficult process of getting into the U.S. even harder.

Other Canadians echo the sentiment that this is another reason not to go across the border.

If the proposal becomes mandatory, a professor at York University warns that if travellers’ social media accounts are viewed by artificial intelligence rather than real humans, context could be misinterpreted.

David Ceccetto, professor of critical digital theory, said the measure is not going to be undertaken by people who are able to be contextual in how they approach it.

“That it’s going to be automated, it’s going to be done by AI and that is extremely dangerous because it provides an extremely limited perspective,” he said.

The proposal is not law right yet and is open to public comment until Feb. 9.

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