A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to disclose their social media account information has been branded "deeply troubling."
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 social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.
"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."
He continued, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."
The proposal stems from an executive order signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."
A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people safe."
The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, especially after the recent incident in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 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."
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