The US embassy in Bangkok announced on Monday that all US visa applicants must set their social media accounts to public for screening.
The requirement is effective immediately and aims to enable screening to confirm applicants’ identity and visa approval, the embassy posted on its Facebook account.
The notice said that failure to comply will delay processing.
The announcement drew mixed reactions on the embassy’s post. Many commenters criticised the move as an invasion of privacy and a threat to civil liberties, questioned the policy’s transparency and asked what happens to applicants who do not use social media.
However, a smaller number voiced support for stricter screening.
