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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this data was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Official Response and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."