Trump's Controversial Plan for World Cup Visitors to Disclose Social Media Activity Described as 'Alarming'
A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans traveling to the US to hand over their online account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers
Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, submitting this data was optional.
"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."
Origins in an Earlier Executive Order
The proposal follows an executive order issued by Donald Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."
Official Statement and Reasoning
A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to protect the American people secure."
The spokesperson added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the recent attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens using the ESTA program."
