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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.

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

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The spokesperson added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."