The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is proposing foreign travelers seeking U.S. visas first turn over information about their social media accounts, but the Internet Association says such a move would violate people's privacy, Politico recently reported.

DHS announced in June a proposal to require visa applicants to disclose what social media sites they use along with their usernames. The agency would then screen their social media posts for comments and images expressing sympathy for terrorist organizations.

The Internet Association—which represents tech giants like Google and Facebook—said people often post sensitive details about themselves, from their political beliefs to sexuality, according to Politico. The U.S. would be setting a bad example for other countries if it required travelers to turn over access to such information.

"Should the U.S. government advance with the DHS proposal it is probable that other countries will make similar requests of visitors entering their country, including U.S. citizens," the association's member companies wrote in comments to the agency. "This will be true for democratic and non-democratic countries alike, including those that do not have the same human rights and due process standards as the U.S."

A spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is part of DHS, told Politico that disclosure of social media use would be optional. The agency is still reviewing the proposed rule. http://politi.co/2bP4wO0

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