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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over their social media profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide details about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

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of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the country," the official said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals using the visa waiver programme."