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A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the US to hand over their online profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for ESTA Travelers

Under the plan, tourists from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this information was optional.

"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."

He added, "The measure creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is meant to embody and it must be rescinded immediately."

Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive

The plan stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Official Statement and Justification

A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those traveling to the United States," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to protect the public secure."

The representative further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist attack in the capital. The measure is consistent 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 applying through the visa waiver programme."