🔗 Share this article

A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this data was voluntary.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Earlier Executive Order

The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the public safe."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."