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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to disclose their social media account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this information was voluntary.

"These 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 supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement 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 United States," the official stated. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist 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 the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."