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A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to hand over personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit information about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this information was voluntary.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Roots in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The spokesperson added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."