Gawkowski also demanded an end to what he called “fictitious” appeals procedures and the immediate removal of identified bot networks. He warned that platforms failing to comply with state requests could face financial penalties amounting to tens of millions of zlotys or euros.
Gawkowski criticised all social media platforms for their handling of online disinformation, saying some do not respond to reports at all while others respond only minimally.
His announcement coincided with the publication on Wednesday of a NASK report on how social media platforms handled reports concerning more than 65,000 items of disinformation and accounts during the first half of 2026.
According to the report, 76 percent of reported material, more than 49,800 items, remained online without a response. This was almost four times the figure for the whole of 2025.
NASK found that platforms removed nearly 77 percent of material involving the impersonation of institutions and public figures. At the same time, they rejected more than 85 percent of reports concerning false information.
Gawkowski said the timing of the report was significant because Parliament was due to vote on Senate amendments to an internet safety bill on Thursday. He expected the legislation to be sent to President Karol Nawrocki on Thursday or Friday.
“We expect (Karol Nawrocki) to sign the internet safety bill, because this is a law that will put a real harness on digital platforms. Having tools in Polish hands is essential, so that we do not have to rely solely on the European Commission,” he said.
Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Paweł Olszewski said the first meeting of the Centre for Combating Disinformation had taken place on Wednesday, with initial findings due to be presented on 28 October.
Olszewski said the centre had largely completed its framework for tackling disinformation and would work with representatives of the media, business and different social groups.
"We will not erase disinformation. It was, is and will be present. We can only minimise its negative effects on the safety of Poland," he said.
Gawkowski said the centre would prepare a report for the European Commission identifying platforms that were acting in support of Russian disinformation in Poland's information space. Its findings would also be sent to other European digital affairs ministers.
The centre operates within the Ministry of Digital Affairs and can cooperate with security services, the Internal Security Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and research institutes.
Its tasks include coordinating the efforts of existing institutions and identifying and exposing disinformation narratives targeting Poland's security and Polish citizens.
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Source: PAP