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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the US to disclose personal online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for ESTA Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"These announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all aliens wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."