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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to disclose personal online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

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

He continued, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the United States," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist 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 allowing CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."