🔗 Share this article

A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters traveling to the US to hand over their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the official stated. "This 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 spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."