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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to hand over their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

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

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal stems from an presidential directive signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."