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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans journeying to the US to hand over their online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan stems from an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."