Former President Trump's Controversial Policy for FIFA World Cup Tourists to Disclose Social Media Activity Described as 'Alarming'
A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament supporters traveling to the United States to disclose personal social media profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."
Mandatory Submission for Visa Waiver Travelers
According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be obliged to submit information about online accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Previously, providing this information was optional.
"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."
He continued, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."
Roots in an Earlier Presidential Directive
The proposal stems from an executive order signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."
Official Response and Reasoning
A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offered context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson stated. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the public safe."
The spokesperson added, "We are continuously evaluating how we screen those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals applying through the ESTA program."
