The US Border Control Want to Check Chinese Visitors' Social Media Accounts
 |
| Zimbio |
According to reports, this won't be a mandatory clause, and there won't be any negative ramifications if people decide to opt out, but it still raises some rather unsettling implications. Border control tightening has been a major factor in US politics since Trump took office, and his stance on the Chinese is no secret - he is most certainly not a fan. Shortly after being sworn in, Trump engaged in a phone call with Tsai Ing-Wen, the Taiwanese president. No president has done this in almost 40 years, for fear of damaging the nation's relationship with China.
Under the Obama administration, there was a 'Visa Waiver' program which included the option to disclose social media information in a similar way, but that mostly applied to Europeans, and certainly didn't pin any particular nation down in the way that this does. It was more designed to test the capabilities of social media screening.
The interesting thing about targeting the Chinese for social media information is that a vast majority of them use entirely Chinese networks like Weibo, which are far harder to mine for information than Facebook or Twitter. And that's if the policy even goes through, the public have 60 days to comment on it before it goes forward, and a representative from the Centre for Democracy and Technology has already stated that they intend to object.
This proposal is nothing compared to some of the other policies which have been discussed, though. A few weeks ago, Homeland Security head honcho John Kelly said that they were considering forcing some visitors to actually hand over social media passwords before entering the country.
Even if policies as intrusive as that don't get through, they set a precedent. As Trump's attempt at a Muslim travel ban proves, his jurisdiction only gets him so far, but other nations might see that as America leading by example, nations where governmental control is a good deal firmer. Social media information has nothing to do with a person's right to travel, that should be taken as a given.
Callum is a film school graduate who is now making a name for himself as a journalist and content writer. His vices include flat whites and 90s hip-hop. Follow him @Songbird_Callum
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
The US Border Control Want to Check Chinese Visitors' Social Media Accounts
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.