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A recently unveiled requirement for soccer tournament fans traveling to the United States to hand over personal social media profile details has been called "profoundly unacceptable."

Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants

According to the proposal, tourists from dozens of nations—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about social media accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Until now, providing this data was optional.

"The US government's proposed measures are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No football fan gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He continued, "This policy introduces a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is meant to represent and it must be rescinded immediately."

Roots in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal stems from an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to guarantee that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are thoroughly checked to the fullest extent feasible."

Official Statement and Reasoning

A spokesperson for the border agency provided clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "This is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the public secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in Washington DC. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by allowing CBP to gather further data from foreign nationals using the ESTA program."