Former President Trump's Controversial Plan for World Cup Tourists to Reveal Social Media Activity Described as 'Alarming'
A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants
Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—such as 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.
"These proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."
He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."
Origins in an Earlier Executive Order
The proposal follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in early 2025 that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."
Government Response and Reasoning
A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the issue. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the United States," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a final rule, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public safe."
The spokesperson added, "The department are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the visa waiver programme."
