Esta and Social Media

[AL1S0N]

I just filled ours in, the only one in our party with social media (we all have WhatsApp but arguably I'd say that's more messaging than media) is our daughter who has tiktok. But there's no box for that so I put none for us all. What I'm thinking is that when your standing in front of the immigration officer, is it going to be obvious to him when you filled it out? ie before the question was made compulsory?
Fortunately my husband and I both work for American companies so that's usually what the officer uses to "chat" about

[aprilshack]

Originally Posted by AL1S0N

I just filled ours in, the only one in our party with social media (we all have WhatsApp but arguably I'd say that's more messaging than media) is our daughter who has tiktok. But there's no box for that so I put none for us all. What I'm thinking is that when your standing in front of the immigration officer, is it going to be obvious to him when you filled it out? ie before the question was made compulsory?
Fortunately my husband and I both work for American companies so that's usually what the officer uses to "chat" about

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So basically they will ask you at immigration if you have social media?

[AL1S0N]

Originally Posted by aprilshack

So basically they will ask you at immigration if you have social media?

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Probably not, what I mean is the officer scans your esta (which will pop up in front of him when they scan your passport-correct me if I'm wrong anyone) and will sometimes use info on it conversationally

[mick]

Originally Posted by AL1S0N

Probably not, what I mean is the officer scans your esta (which will pop up in front of him when they scan your passport-correct me if I'm wrong anyone) and will sometimes use info on it conversationally

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Entered the States nearly 40 times so about 18 post-ESTA.

I suppose we may have been lucky that in all those times never been asked any direct ESTA questions.

About a dozen times post-ESTA where we are staying? I just say a villa in Davenport. They are happy with that even though they can see the full address from my API. Asked a few times how long we're staying and how much money we have.

Never been asked what we did for a living and certainly never what Joan's dad was called who died in 1966.

Never encountered a rude or threatening IO in my life. Why should they be if your a bona-fide holiday maker? Just be polite and confident and they will be the same. Too much stress going on.

Mick

[mick]

Originally Posted by Rachv38

What if you have what's app but not Facebook? I know it's owned by them so would it be best to tick yes? Does it ask for account names or only if you have those social media accounts?

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Surely WhatsApp is simply a messaging app like iMessage? I guess that 90% of the civilised world have some form of messaging app on their phones. The question does not ask "Do you have Facebook or any other hundred companies that may be owned by them"

So long as anyone's Facebook history doesn't include exchanges on terrorist bomb making techniques I think the ESTA question is being over-thought.

Mick

[SteveyJ]

Originally Posted by mick

Surely WhatsApp is simply a messaging app like iMessage? I guess that 90% of the civilised world have some form of messaging app on their phones. The question does not ask "Do you have Facebook or any other hundred companies that may be owned by them"

So long as anyone's Facebook history doesn't include exchanges on terrorist bomb making techniques I think the ESTA question is being over-thought.

Mick

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Possibly but I really wouldn't be surprised if this is entirely a vanity project for Trump. Shared a meme about him on Twitter? You're not coming in.

[metalguru]

I have been asked what I do for a living post immigration. A guy in uniform came up to me and asked me the same question the immigration officer did. This was pre ESTA and social media and to this day I have no idea why. Never been in trouble with the police bar speeding a couple of times. Very weird.

[aprilshack]

Originally Posted by SteveyJ

Possibly but I really wouldn't be surprised if this is entirely a vanity project for Trump. Shared a meme about him on Twitter? You're not coming in.

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Tourism would rapidly fall in the USA if that were true.

[tapley]

Originally Posted by mick

Entered the States nearly 40 times so about 18 post-ESTA.

I suppose we may have been lucky that in all those times never been asked any direct ESTA questions.

About a dozen times post-ESTA where we are staying? I just say a villa in Davenport. They are happy with that even though they can see the full address from my API. Asked a few times how long we're staying and how much money we have.

Never been asked what we did for a living and certainly never what Joan's dad was called who died in 1966.

Never encountered a rude or threatening IO in my life. Why should they be if your a bona-fide holiday maker? Just be polite and confident and they will be the same. Too much stress going on.

Mick

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I agree never met a grumpy IO in any of the airports which we have entered in the US and that includes both JFK and Newark ,New York being the only place I have found rude Americans. Normally I get asked about my former occupation as a police officer.

[mick]

Originally Posted by tapley

I agree never met a grumpy IO in any of the airports which we have entered in the US and that includes both JFK and Newark ,New York being the only place I have found rude Americans. Normally I get asked about my former occupation as a police officer.

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As a retired Quantity Surveyor I guess they don't have much to chat to me about

Mick