Trump's Proposed Plan for FIFA World Cup Tourists to Reveal Social Media Histories Described as 'Chilling'
A newly proposed requirement for World Cup supporters journeying to the US to disclose personal online account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers
Under the plan, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) would be required to submit information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, providing this information was voluntary.
"The US government's proposed measures are profoundly unacceptable," stated Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right to privacy are universal human rights. No supporter surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He added, "This policy creates a climate of fear of monitoring that directly contradicts the welcoming, open spirit the tournament is meant to embody and it must be rescinded at once."
Origins in an Previous Executive Order
The proposal stems from an presidential directive issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all aliens wishing to enter the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."
Official Response and Reasoning
A representative for the border agency offered clarification 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 merely the first step in starting a discussion to have additional measures to keep the American people secure."
The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the recent incident in the capital. This new proposal is in line with the earlier directive to vet 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."
