Government considers screening social media of foreign travelers to identify possible terrorists

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The federal government is considering screening the social media accounts of foreign travelers to help identify possible terrorists.

The Homeland Security Department proposal was entered into the federal register last week and is in a 60-day public comment period before it would be formally considered.

Under the proposal, non-citizens traveling to and from the United States on a visa waiver could be asked about their social media profiles, but not their passwords.

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol would ask travelers to volunteer their handles on their social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.