Former President Trump's Proposed Plan for World Cup Visitors to Disclose Online Histories Labeled as 'Chilling'

A recently unveiled mandate for World Cup supporters traveling to the United States to disclose their online account information has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."

Mandatory Disclosure for Visa Waiver Travelers

According to the proposal, visitors from 42 countries—such as the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be obliged to submit details about online accounts they have maintained in the last five-year period. Previously, submitting this information was voluntary.

"These announced plans are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are fundamental rights. No supporter gives up those rights just because they enter a country."

He added, "This policy creates a chilling atmosphere of monitoring that fundamentally opposes the inclusive atmosphere the World Cup is supposed to represent and it must be withdrawn at once."

Origins in an Earlier Executive Order

The proposal stems from an executive order issued by Donald Trump in January that seeks "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the fullest extent possible."

Government Statement and Reasoning

A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the matter. "This is not a change on this subject for those coming to the country," the spokesperson stated. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the public secure."

The spokesperson further noted, "We are continuously evaluating how we vet those coming into the country, particularly after the terrorist attack in the capital. This new proposal is consistent with the January 2025 directive to vet those who are coming into this country using the visa waiver system by enabling CBP to gather additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."