🔗 Share this article

A newly proposed mandate for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to disclose personal social media profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers

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

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the country," the official said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."