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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to disclose their online account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting 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 of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy creates a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the country," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the recent attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."