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A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to disclose their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Disclosure for ESTA Travelers

According to the proposal, tourists from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to provide information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all aliens seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Response and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those traveling to the country," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people safe."

The spokesperson added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the recent incident in Washington DC. The measure 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 foreign nationals using the ESTA program."