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A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to disclose their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Disclosure for ESTA Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."