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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose personal online profile details has been called "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 information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, submitting this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."