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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans traveling to the US to disclose personal social media account information has been branded "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 required to provide information about social media accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

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 vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency offered clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."