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A newly proposed mandate for World Cup fans traveling to the United States to hand over personal online account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit information about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, providing this data was voluntary.

"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy creates 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of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."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 Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the United States," the official said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the public safe."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we screen those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."