this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
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[–] ltxrtquq@lemmy.ml 47 points 1 week ago (3 children)

if applicants refuse to unlock their accounts or otherwise don’t maintain a social media presence, the government may interpret it as an attempt to evade the requirement or deliberately hide online activity.

Here I was, wondering why people don't just say they don't have a social media account.

[–] OutlierBlue@lemmy.ca 23 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

So I have to create a Facebook account just to enter the country? It was bad enough having unrelated websites demand it.

Good thing I have no plans to ever visit again. Elbows up.

[–] IhaveCrabs111@lemmy.world 10 points 1 week ago (2 children)

So what happens when you don’t have any?

[–] ltxrtquq@lemmy.ml 31 points 1 week ago (2 children)

if applicants ... don’t maintain a social media presence, the government may interpret it as an attempt to evade the requirement or deliberately hide online activity.

Presumably it's disqualifying.

[–] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

Straight to the gulags

[–] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I have not seen any language that suggests that, nor what EFF is saying.

[–] ltxrtquq@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

A separate cable, obtained by multiple news outlets, directed embassies and consulates to vet applicants for “hostile attitudes towards our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles”

...

Applicants for student and exchange visas will now have their “entire online presence” vetted, per the cable reportedly said. If students refuse to change their accounts to “public” and “limited access to, or visibility of, online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity.”

Seems like a reasonable assumption to me

[–] refalo@programming.dev 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I don't see how that even implies that not having a presence in the first place is inherently a red flag...

[–] ltxrtquq@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

limited access to, or visibility of, online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity

Do you really not? Can you not connect the dots between "limited access to, or visibility of, online presence" and not having a social media account? Do you truly not understand how these two things are related?

[–] refalo@programming.dev 0 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I understand how people can infer subjective conclusions, but I don't agree that it objectively says as much.

[–] refalo@programming.dev 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I guess nobody can really know for sure, but in my opinion, if you truly don't have anything, nothing happens, as that's what they want, complacency.

I think EFF is just what-ifing things they could theoretically do in the future... which they do a lot. Not saying EFF is bad, but they do speculate a lot. Sometimes it's a good thing though.

[–] Zedd_Prophecy@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

I've recently deleted all my accounts except here - Now I look guilty by lack of social media.

[–] omgitsaheadcrab@sh.itjust.works 36 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Ez solution: don't go there

[–] IceFoxX@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago

and best solution.

[–] Wooki@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Even better.

Dont go. & delete your accounts.

Getting out from behind the screen and being present in the world around you will do lots for mental health, relationships, and give you back a lot of free time.

[–] kebab@endlesstalk.org 1 points 22 hours ago

Doesn’t Lemmy also count as social media?

[–] staircase@programming.dev 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

even better, maintain an account that's complete lies to throw off their algorithm

(don't do this - your life matters)

Yeah I can't believe how insane china is wait

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Once again all the shit-for-brains cloven-hooved mouthbreathing fucksticks who ignored any and all warnings to gleefully hand over all their data to big tech for - ??? = funsies? - get me soaked with their drive-by shitpuddle. Thanks again, assholes. Yeah, sure like and subscribe.

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Here in Florida we sure love us some Trump! No one tell my neighbors how dependent we are on tourism.