🔗 Share this article

A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to hand over personal social media profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Official Response and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."