Former President Trump's Controversial Plan for World Cup Tourists to Disclose Online Activity Labeled as 'Chilling'
A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to hand over their social media profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."
Compulsory Submission for ESTA Applicants
Under the plan, 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 held in the past five years. Until now, submitting this data was optional.
"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He added, "This policy creates a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."
Roots in an Earlier Executive Order
The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."
Government Statement and Justification
A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public secure."
The spokesperson added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those entering the country, especially after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather additional information from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."
