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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was voluntary.

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals using the visa waiver programme."