Sejm passes law on blocking illegal content on the internet

The Sejm passed amendments that will allow quick restriction of access to illegal content on the internet. This implements the European Digital Services Act (DSA) and responds to President Karol Nawrocki's January veto of the previous version. The law will now go to the Senate.

Courts and authorised bodies will be able to issue orders to block material that breaks the law: related to crimes, hate speech, fraud or copyright infringement. Platforms are obliged to comply. The register of sites with illegal content will be kept by the president of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE).

A user whose material was blocked will be able to demand its restoration and appeal the blocking decision in court. In urgent cases (child sexual abuse, identity theft, fraud), the prosecutor's office, police, the National Revenue Administration (KAS) and the Border Guard will be able to request a block.

The law was not on the agenda of the sitting: it was added to Thursday's vote after Donald Tusk spoke at a meeting on school attacks. The prime minister spoke of the need to block hate speech online immediately.