Australians may be among those who have to disclose contacts on their mobile phones, give up their social media passwords and provide financial information if they wish to visit the US, even for a short stay.

Trump administration officials, who are discussing what they call extreme vetting measures, have indicated that the measures could apply even to friendly countries like France and Germany and close allies like the UK, Japan and Australia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration also wanted more stringent security reviews for visa applicants and lengthier interviews before visas are granted.

It said that experts had warned that any measures taken by the US could meet similar retaliatory measures from the countries that were affected.

1) If Trump applies extreme #vetting to all Europeans we should do the same to all Americans traveling to Europe. — PAnnicchino (@PAnnicchino) 4 April 2017

After US President Donald Trump was sworn in on 20 January, he introducedon seven Muslim-majority countries and also legal immigrants from these countries who were returning to the US. The countries covered were Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Syria and Sudan.

After this was blocked in the courts, a second ban was promulgated, covering six countries. Iraq was removed from the list and the ban did not apply to legal immigrants. However, this was again blocked by a judge in Hawaii.

The WSJ quoted Gene Hamilton, senior counsellor to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, as saying: "If there is any doubt about a person’s intentions coming to the United States, they should have to overcome — really and truly prove to our satisfaction — that they are coming for legitimate reasons."

The new proposed vetting measures are part of a review called for in the second travel ban.

A senior Homeland Security official said the new measures could also apply to the 38 countries which are part of the Visa Waiver Programme with the US, that includes observing strict US standards in data sharing, passport control and other factors.

According to the report, data on mobile phones could be examined on arrival. A senior Homeland Security official said the idea was to know with whom an individual was communicating, adding that what one could get on the average person’s phone could be invaluable.

As iTWire has reported, in June last year, the US government announced that it would begin asking visa-waiver entrants for social media details. The policy was implemented in December.

But the new measures will extend to asking for social media handles and passwords so US officials could look at both public and private messages.