Trump's Proposed Plan for FIFA World Cup Tourists to Disclose Social Media Activity Labeled as 'Alarming'
A newly proposed mandate for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the US to hand over personal social media account information has been called "profoundly unacceptable."
Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers
Under the plan, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to provide details about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this data was voluntary.
"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He added, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."
Origins in an Previous Executive Order
The plan stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."
Government Statement and Justification
A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided context on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the American people secure."
The spokesperson further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we screen those entering the country, particularly after the recent attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."
