🔗 Share this article

A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose their social media account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

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of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect further data from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."