this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2023
114 points (98.3% liked)

Privacy

40375 readers
676 users here now

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
k_o_t@lemmy.ml
tmpod@lemmy.pt
Yayannick@lemmy.ml
ranok@sopuli.xyz
114
[EFF] Federal Judge Upholds State Department Rule Requiring Visa Applicants to Disclose Social Media Information (www.eff.org)
submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by Raisin8659@monyet.cc to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
21 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Summary

  • 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.

  • The rule, which went into effect in 2019, applies to visa applicants from all countries.

  • The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, two U.S.-based documentary film organizations, argued that the rule violated the First Amendment rights of visa applicants.

  • It's unclear if the plaintiffs plan to appeal the ruling.

Additional Details

  • The rule requires visa applicants to disclose their social media identifiers, including pseudonymous accounts, for the past five years.

  • 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.

  • The ruling is a reminder of the challenges faced by people who want to protect their privacy online.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml 14 points 2 years ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Raisin8659@monyet.cc 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

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.

[–] PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

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

[–] Nougat@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago

And when they're asking you, they may already know. It's a test.

[–] wagoner@infosec.pub 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

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.

[–] wagoner@infosec.pub 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yes it's lying. What if you left blank a request to list your criminal convictions?

[–] PuppyOSAndCoffee@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

straw man. Nobody can fact check your favorite color which can change from month to month.

Your criminal history is factual and evidence based.

[–] wagoner@infosec.pub 1 points 2 years ago

I never brought up colors, which are nothing like the specific and provable social media handles. Best not to lie on a visa application, especially not about something that can be proven with subpoenas.