Former President Trump's Proposed Policy for World Cup Visitors to Reveal Online Activity Described as 'Alarming'
A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup fans traveling to the US to disclose personal social media profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."
Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants
Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was optional.
"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."
He added, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be withdrawn immediately."
Origins in an Previous Executive Order
The proposal follows an executive order issued by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."
Official Response and Reasoning
A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the American people safe."
The spokesperson added, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."
