Former President Trump's Proposed Plan for World Cup Tourists to Disclose Online Activity Labeled as 'Alarming'
A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans journeying to the US to disclose their social media account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."
Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers
According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide information about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was optional.
"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."
He continued, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."
Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive
The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that aims "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent possible."
Official Response and Justification
A representative for the border agency provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the country," the official said. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public safe."
The representative further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."
