It’s true, as per @briankrebs. In December the US proposed a significant tightening of its ESTA screening for incoming travellers (Australians, that’s us, we use the ESTA system) to include years of email addresses used by you or your family, as well as other “high value data” *including your DNA*. Read it here.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-10/pdf/2025-22461.pdf
@kate which backs up my resolve to never ever visit the USA again. Ever.
@lauraritchie @david This must be so horrifying for those who have to, especially for people with family in the US. I have friends I deeply love there and I grieve that I can’t see how we will see each other. But this is small beer in the scheme of things when people are losing so much, and taking so much.
@david It’s appalling.
@kate @briankrebs Even as a USAnian, I do not want Australian DNA collected, store or looked up in any way by an employee of the government. ESTA screening does not, nor will it ever need DNA from anyone entering the USA for any reason EVER.
**do not want** ❌
@carpetbomberz @briankrebs Even the phrasing of “high value data” is a chilling glimpse into authoritarian thinking.
@kate @briankrebs "sounds like" a complete and utter #dick move by Palantir and Peter Thiel associates. There is no reason to prevent someone coming across the border because they will not submit DNA.
