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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of 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 surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."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 presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the visa waiver programme."