Polish coalition passes law granting officials power to block online hate speech
The governing coalition approved a bill that implements the EU Digital Services Act and authorises designated officials to block internet content classified as illegal hate speech, sending the measure to the president.
On Thursday the ruling coalition secured passage of a law that translates the EU Digital Services Act into Polish regulation, giving state officials the authority to remove online material deemed illegal hate speech. Lawmakers accepted nine of ten Senate amendments, with several proposals intensifying the restrictions. Responsibility for enforcing the blocks rests with the Chairman of the Krajowa Rada Radiofonii i Telewizji and the president of the Urząd Komunikacji Elektronicznej.
The text permits administrative censorship, funded by tax-derived resources, and allows "trusted" parties to submit blocking requests. It also foresees cooperation between the communications regulator and police, including the possibility for officials to access and seal forum servers. After a previous version was vetoed and split into two separate bills, the coalition now moves the censorship-enabled version to the president for final approval.
Why it matters
The law gives government officials direct power to filter online content, raising concerns about free speech in Poland.
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