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A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup fans journeying to the US to hand over their online account information has been called "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit details about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, submitting this data was optional.

"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree possible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the American people secure."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."