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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans traveling to the US to disclose their online profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit details about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this information was optional.

"These announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public secure."

The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, especially after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."