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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to hand over their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—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. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"The US government's 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 supporter surrenders 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of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive signed 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 offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people secure."

The representative added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the recent attack in the capital. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."