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

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide information about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was voluntary.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

The representative added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."