In a shocking turn of events, foreign students seeking U.S. visas must now unlock their social media accounts for government scrutiny. The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it would restart processing for student visa applicants, but with a controversial new requirement: social media accounts must be public. Those who refuse may face rejection.
The decision follows the rescinding of a previous suspension on student visa applications, highlighting an increased focus on online behavior and communications.
“Refusal to make social media accounts public may be seen as an attempt to evade requirements,” said a department spokesperson.
This measure has sparked concern among potential applicants, particularly from countries like China and India, who worry about privacy violations and the implications for their online presence.