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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media account information has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"These announced plans are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for the border agency provided clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is simply the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."