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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to hand over their social media account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."