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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to hand over personal online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission 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 obliged to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 directive 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 visa waiver programme."