Trump's Proposed Policy for FIFA World Cup Tourists to Reveal Social Media Histories Labeled as 'Alarming'
A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament supporters journeying to the US to hand over their online account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Mandatory Submission for ESTA Applicants
According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide details about online accounts they have maintained in the past five years. Previously, submitting this information was voluntary.
"These proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," said Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Free speech and the right to privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they enter a country."
He continued, "The measure introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to embody and it must be withdrawn at once."
Roots in an Previous Presidential Directive
The plan follows an presidential directive signed by former President Trump in January that seeks "to guarantee that all aliens seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."
Official Statement and Justification
A representative for the border agency provided context on the matter. "This is not a change on this front for those coming to the country," the official stated. "It is not a final rule, it is simply the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to keep the public secure."
The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier directive to thoroughly check those who are entering this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."
