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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans traveling to the United States to disclose their online profile details has been called "deeply troubling."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was voluntary.

"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."

Origins in an Earlier Presidential Directive

The proposal follows an presidential directive issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A representative for the border agency provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the public secure."

The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to collect additional information from non-US citizens applying through the visa waiver programme."