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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the United States to hand over their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Disclosure for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people safe."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."