Summary
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A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a rule that requires visa applicants to disclose their social media accounts to the U.S. government.
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The rule, which went into effect in 2019, applies to visa applicants from all countries.
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The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, two U.S.-based documentary film organizations, argued that the rule violated the First Amendment rights of visa applicants.
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It’s unclear if the plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling.
Additional Details
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The rule requires visa applicants to disclose their social media identifiers, including pseudonymous accounts, for the past five years.
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The plaintiffs argued that the rule would chill free speech and association, as visa applicants would be less likely to express themselves on social media if they knew that the government could see their posts.
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The ruling is a reminder of the challenges faced by people who want to protect their privacy online.
The judge basically said, if I am reading it right, that there is an argument but it needs work.
This is a BS requirement. I get asking for social media but such an ask is unenforceable. It’s like asking your favorite color.
I personally think you have to be careful. If they don’t like your application and find that you are not disclosing the information, it might become a justification to reject the application. Remember that there are 3rd parties that massively correlate internet data that are sold to governments and corporations. Unless you accounts definitely cannot be linked to your real identity, there is a chance that they will find out what social accounts you have anyway.
What color do you like? …
WRONG! Friend Computer says you like blue, yet here you are, saying you like red; oh, Mr John Smith is a common name in your region of Canada?
Likely story!!!
Or, maybe, you… are a lying communist.
VISA DENIED
Canadian is a communist who lied about their favorite color
It is conceivable to prove you have a social media account you denied having (seize your phone, your computer). It is not the same as having a favorite color.
The consequences of lying on a visa application can be severe, such as a ban on entering the US.
If there is a reason to seize your phone and computer, then your VISA has other problems.
And if not, Is an omission lying? It is exactly the same as listing your favorite color, and leaving it blank.
Yes it’s lying. What if you left blank a request to list your criminal convictions?
