Trump's Proposed Plan for FIFA World Cup Tourists to Reveal Social Media Activity Described as 'Alarming'
A recently unveiled mandate for soccer tournament fans journeying to the US to hand over their online profile details has been branded "profoundly unacceptable."
Compulsory Submission for Visa Waiver Applicants
According to the proposal, visitors from dozens of nations—including the UK—who use the visa waiver program would be required to provide information about online accounts they have held in the past five years. Previously, providing this information was optional.
"The US government's announced plans are deeply concerning," stated Ronan Evain, head of Football Supporters Europe. "Freedom of expression and the right of privacy are universal human rights. No football fan surrenders those rights just because they cross a border."
He continued, "This policy introduces a chilling atmosphere of surveillance that directly contradicts the inclusive atmosphere the tournament is supposed to represent and it must be rescinded at once."
Origins in an Previous Executive Order
The proposal follows an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January that aims "to ensure that all foreign nationals seeking admission the United States are vetted and screened to the maximum degree feasible."
Official Statement and Justification
A representative for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided clarification on the issue. "Nothing has changed on this front for those traveling to the United States," the spokesperson said. "It is not a implemented policy, it is merely the initial phase in initiating a process to have additional measures to protect the American people secure."
The representative added, "The department are constantly looking at how we vet those entering the country, especially after the terrorist incident in Washington DC. The measure is consistent with the earlier Executive Order to vet those who are coming into this country using ESTA by enabling CBP to collect additional information from foreign nationals applying through the visa waiver programme."
