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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament fans traveling to the US to disclose their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was voluntary.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."