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

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive signed by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Official Response and Justification

A representative for the border agency offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those coming to the United States," the official stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the public safe."

The representative added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in the capital. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."