🔗 Share this article

A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to disclose their online profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, submitting this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the American people safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."