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A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans journeying to the United States to disclose personal social media profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory 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 provide information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this information was optional.

"The US government's announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated 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 cross a border."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal follows an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the American people safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."