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A newly proposed requirement for soccer tournament fans journeying to the United States to hand over their social media profile details has been branded "deeply troubling."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit details about social media accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"These announced plans are deeply concerning," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "The measure introduces a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be rescinded at once."

Origins in an Previous Executive Order

The plan stems from an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the maximum degree feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the official stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public safe."

The representative further noted, "The department are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, especially after the terrorist attack in the capital. The measure is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals using the visa waiver programme."