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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to disclose personal online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA Applicants

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 maintained in the past five years. Previously, providing this information was optional.

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

He continued, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the American people secure."

The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in the capital. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."