The plan is to verify the profiles of social media applicants for visas and changes in status. According to information from Cubanet.org, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to include social media profile analysis in the process of checking visa applicants and changing statuses. So far, it has not been communicated which exact platforms will be monitored and how the collected information will be used.
However, the official list is not publicly available, which raises certain concerns. Representatives of advocacy firms have expressed their discomfort regarding the broad range of possible platforms for monitoring. DHS employees intend to use data from social media for the screening of visa applicants and for public safety purposes.
"We are interested in all publicly accessible information sources, including social media, for our work," commented a DHS representative. He added that processing this data allows for a better understanding of candidates and making informed decisions.
So far, the criteria for selecting platforms for monitoring and the methods of processing information from social media remain in question. Critics warn that this may lead to privacy violations and unwarranted visa denials based on data posted on personal profiles. The degree of data protection and possible consequences for applicants remain the subject of live discussion.
