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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the US to hand over their social media profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide details about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was voluntary.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."