Former President Trump's Proposed Policy for World Cup Tourists to Disclose Social Media Histories Labeled as 'Alarming'
A recently unveiled requirement for World Cup fans traveling to the US to disclose personal social media account information has been called "deeply troubling."
Mandatory Submission for ESTA Travelers
According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to submit information about social media accounts they have held in the last five-year period. Until now, submitting this data was optional.
"These announced plans are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, executive director 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, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that fundamentally opposes the welcoming, open spirit the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn immediately."
Origins in an Earlier Executive Order
The plan stems from an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the US are vetted and screened to the fullest extent feasible."
Government Response and Reasoning
A spokesperson for the border agency provided context on the matter. "Nothing has changed on this subject for those traveling to the country," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in initiating a process to have new policy options to keep the public safe."
The representative further noted, "We are constantly looking at how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist incident in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the earlier directive to vet those who are entering this country using ESTA by allowing CBP to gather further data from non-US citizens using the visa waiver programme."
