I would love nothing more than to visit the US to reconnect with friends across the country, alas, that won’t be happening. This week we found out that the US will demand access to five years of our social media history, but that’s only the start. Even if you are from a country entitled to a visa‑waiver or an ESTA traveller, this is the additional information you may be required to share (on top of what you already provide):
- Mandatory social media information for the last five years – including usernames/handles and any other relevant identifiers for all social media platforms, with the intent to review five years of your social media history. Prior to this, social media info on ESTA was optional, now it’s mandatory
- Expanded personal contact history – including telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses used in the last 10 years, and business contact details
- Family information, which is considered “high‑value data” – includes parents, spouse, siblings, and children (full names, dates of birth, places of birth and current and recent residential addresses. Also, family members’ telephone numbers used in the last five years. The goal here it to map out your close family network, contact details, and where they live. I might need to talk to my hubby about this one…. Sorry love!
- Biometrics and photos – we already provide biometric information when we arrive, but that will now be part of the application process and include facial image, fingerprints, DNA profile and iris biometrics
- A selfie – in addition to the passport photo, which you upload with your ESTA application
- Technical and device-related data – includes IP addresses associated with the applicant, and metadata from electronically submitted photos. Of course, the US already asserts its authority to search devices at the border. If you refuse, it can lead to a denial of entry
- Only the ESTA app will work – all applications need to be filed via the ESTA mobile app, not the web form, because it enables the selfie capture, geolocation, and other technical checks
- Optional exit – will require uploading a live facial image (selfie), allow geolocation so they know you’re physically outside the U.S, etc…
Now, this is important. It hasn’t started yet and it’s now in a 60‑day public comment period, so we’ll know if this is really going to happen in February 2026. In the meantime, to my American friends, come visit me. I would love to see you.
Regardless, so much for free speech huh? Trump’s Chilling New Plan For Foreign Tourists Is Concerning Experts | HuffPost Life.
“Social media history is not a neutral data point,” she said. “It reveals personal beliefs, political opinions, social circles, mental health struggles and interactions that were never intended for government scrutiny.”
Then again, you can just buy yourself a Trump Gold Card visa for $1 million – ‘Trump Gold Card’ launches, offering expedited immigration pathway with a $1 million fee | CNN Politics.
In the meantime
Regardless of all of that, there’s something much more important to be aware of, with scientists predicting a return of El Niño in 2026. El Niño impacts regions differently, but one challenge is consistent – it guarantees an increase in heat. Suffice to say, pay attention to this one – Wind burst over remote ocean could mean record temperatures in 2026 – The Washington Post.
Rising heat is a critical concern for all of us, but scientists are finally understanding the impact on children, who are most vulnerable to heat extremes, and well, the news isn’t good – New study finds severe heat can affect early childhood development : Goats and Soda : NPR.
In Indonesia, there are fears the world’s rarest apes got swept away in the floods, Iran finally saw some rain, and in the Philippines, will it successfully fight corruption? That will be something if it succeeds, but worldwide, corruption will make it impossible for countries to adapt to more extreme weather, particularly in the Global South, where it is rampant – Philippines vows to dismantle graft syndicate, fire up spending in 2026 | The Straits Times.
For all in the Global South, please heed the message, no one is coming to help as these crisis mount. We are on our own and must unite as a community to face the future together – UN faces ‘brutal choices’ as it launches 2026 aid appeal | United Nations News | Al Jazeera.
Because 2025 was another year of extreme weather events, and 2026? We wait and see.
In the media
When social media first entered our lives, I used to say “it’s the democratization of information” and that was a very good thing. Before social media, a group of oligarchs owned mainstream media, and while we still have some remaining – aka Murdoch – the old school has long gone. That democratization movement has gone too, with those responsible for that freedom now in control, not only of social media and AI, but mainstream media too. What could possibly go wrong? Seven Richest Billionaires Are Now Media Barons.
Why does it matter who owns the media? A while back I read this fascinating piece The Worst Deal in History: Why Mining Has Ransacked Australia While the Press Looked Away – Urban Wronski Writes.
It’s telling a story of Australia’s mining sector, but one section focuses on the media’s role in this history. A quick snippet.
Australia’s media landscape is so concentrated that only Egypt and China have less diverse ownership. News Limited was established in 1923 by James Edward Davidson and funded by the Collins Group mining empire for the express purpose of publishing anti-union propaganda when he purchased the Broken Hill Barrier Miner and the Port Pirie Recorder.
Let that history sit: the corporate media in Australia was literally born as a tool to suppress working-class resistance to mining corporate power.
Have a read. It’s a fascinating piece.
One of the most important pillars in a democracy is free and independent journalism, as the Reporters Without Borders Report states. It describes a marked deterioration of press freedom around the world, with journalists and media facing difficult economic conditions and journalists in the US operating in an increasingly hostile environment.
Red more here: Reporters Without Borders: Global Press Freedom at Unprecedented, Critical Low – Global Investigative Journalism Network.
Press freedom globally is, for the first time, in a “difficult situation,” and while most focus on physical threats and attacks on journalists (including murder), the other side of the coin is ownership and economic stability, which has plummeted in recent years. Those seven billionaires are lapping it up, gaining even more power and influence.
“Guaranteeing freedom, independence, and plurality in today’s media landscape requires stable and transparent financial conditions,” said Anne Bocondé, RSF’s editorial director. “The media economy must urgently be restored to a state that is conducive to journalism and ensures the production of reliable information, which is inherently costly.”
“Without economic independence, there can be no free press,” she added. “When news media are financially strained, they are drawn into a race to attract audiences at the expense of quality reporting.”
With authoritarianism taking over around the world, freedom of the press is obviously under attack and as the report states, “Once autocratization takes hold, it is very difficult to reverse. But where it has been thwarted it’s because the free media held its ground, continuing to report the news with bravery and determination. This is the duty of journalists everywhere.”
Wherever you are, fight for a free and independent press, it’s vital.
Some final news
The World Inequality Report is out, please download and read – World Inequality Report 2026.
In the meantime, think of the people in Gaza. I don’t know why the protests have stopped. Their lives have not gotten better.
Let me leave you with a smile. Just brilliant – These wildlife photos won funniest of the year.
Keep the faith, and if you’re not already, stand up and fight for our future, because we need you.
Visual storytelling
Shall we give it a go?
Australian politics, but if you know, you know
Mai is smart!
My content and my friends
It was our last Sh*t Show of the year, so thank you to David, Richard and Joe for joining me on this ride. It keeps me sane. What better way to finish than to have the fabulous Simone Heng join us, a global expert in loneliness. This is such an important topic in the lead up to the festive season, so have a listen and take her advice if you are feeling lonely OK? Just get started.
After my Weekend Reads last week, a little follow up on the Tech Broligarchy!
Dig into the news
As always, there’s plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform has articles going back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.
Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.
Cheers
Andrea
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18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
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Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
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