ESTA - Social Media question

Lulu58

Hi all, I'm just completing my ESTA for a trip to the US.

Social Media shows (Optional) alongside it.  This is followed by options to enter your Facebook ID, LinkedIn etc.  Then there's a box for 'I do not have an online presence'

I use Facebook to keep in touch with a couple of friends but rarely post anything, and have a LinkedIn profile which I've never used.

I've got nothing to hide but I don't particularly want to give this information.  However, I'm a bit confused by the 'Optional', versus I do not have an online presence.  It would be a lie to say I don't have an online presence, but will it kick off something behind the scenes if I don't enter any details, but do not check the box to say I don't have an online presence?

Everything I've seen online suggests it's now mandatory, but that's not what the form states.

Has anyone got any experience of this please?

Many thanks.

Archergirl

If it says optional just leave it blank and carry on, if the form doesn't like it it won't let you go any further, but optional should mean you do not need to fill it in.

Lulu58

Archergirl said:

If it says optional just leave it blank and carry on, if the form doesn't like it it won't let you go any further, but optional should mean you do not need to fill it in.

Thank you, Archergirl. I'll give it a go and see what happens!

Archergirl

Are you on the .gov site? an Esta should only cost you $21

Lulu58

Archergirl said:

Are you on the .gov site? an Esta should only cost you $21

Yes.  Thanks for checking back 

heatherw_01

I never filled it in as it was optional.

Lulu58

heatherw_01 said:

I never filled it in as it was optional.

I've not filled it in, and the form was accepted.  Some websites were saying it was mandatory from 2020 but that's not how I read it. Glad I posted on here!

tightauldgit

I didn't fill it in when I did my ESTA last week and it got approved. 

400ixl

It was optional, became mandatory and then went back to optional.

Lulu58

Thanks all. My application has been approved 

Archergirl

Have a fab trip x