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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to disclose personal social media account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver 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 information about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, submitting this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the American people secure."

The representative added, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."