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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to hand over their online profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the United States," the official said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the American people secure."

The representative added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier 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 visa waiver programme."