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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters traveling to the US to hand over their online profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this data was voluntary.

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

He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Response and Justification

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in the capital. The measure is in line with the January 2025 Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."