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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to hand over their online profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA 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 online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was voluntary.

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

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surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."