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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit details about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, submitting this information was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Roots in an Previous Executive Order

The proposal follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The spokesperson further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, especially after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure 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 applying through the visa waiver programme."