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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to disclose personal online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency provided clarification on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."