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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this information was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Government Response and Justification

A representative for the border agency provided clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the United States," the official said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people safe."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."