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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the US to hand over their social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide details about social media accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this data was optional.

"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 gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal stems from an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the official said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."