Trump's Proposed Plan for World Cup Tourists to Disclose Social Media Histories Labeled as 'Chilling'
A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to hand over their online account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."
Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Applicants
Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this information was optional.
"These announced plans are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they cross a border."
He continued, "The measure creates a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is meant to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."
Roots in an Earlier Executive Order
The proposal stems from an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in early 2025 that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."
Government Statement and Reasoning
A spokesperson for the border agency offered context on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the country," the official said. "This is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in starting a discussion to have new policy options to protect the public secure."
The spokesperson further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is in line with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens applying through the ESTA program."
