Poland rejects Meta scam response and prepares regulatory action over fraudulent ads

Ministry rejects corporate response

Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs published its correspondence with Meta on 26 August 2026 following friction over scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski sent an initial letter on 18 August 2026 demanding explanations regarding compliance with the European Union Digital Services Act. Meta replied by describing a multi-layered moderation architecture and requesting a meeting with Polish officials to discuss ongoing collaboration. Gawkowski criticized the submission for omitting a personal signature and failing to present effective consumer safeguards. He reiterated that online safety rules place enforceable legal obligations on digital platforms rather than voluntary choices.

There is not and will not be consent to a situation where Meta earns from running an ad, the scammer earns from the victim, and the responsibility for protection against fraud is shifted onto the citizen. User safety must be more important than advertising revenue.

Meta moderation statistics

In its formal reply, Meta reported that it removed approximately 137,000 advertisements originating from Poland between July 2025 and June 2026 for violating fraud and deception policies. The company stated that over 88% of those advertisements were removed proactively before users submitted reports. Over the same twelve-month span, Meta removed roughly 380,000 content items from Poland across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, with more than 93% taken down before user reporting. The corporation stated that verified advertisers account for 70% of its global advertising revenue, with a target to reach 90% by the end of 2026. Meta also noted that it deploys automated machine learning screening alongside facial recognition technology for consenting public figures to intercept deepfakes before ad auctions run.

High-profile fraud targets

The government intervention follows public complaints from Polish business figures and public officials whose identities were used in fraudulent investment campaigns. InPost founder Rafał Brzoska took legal action against Meta, accusing the company of ignoring binding court decisions while generating profits from illegal promotions. Brzoska emphasized that deepfake scam promotions harm ordinary citizens whose funds and data are stolen through deceptive endorsements. The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) submitted evidence of potential Digital Services Act violations by Meta to the European Commission in Brussels. Scam campaigns on Meta platforms also targeted the likeness of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to solicit unauthorized investments.

This is about every Pole whose image, name, or the trust of their loved ones can be exploited by scammers.

Threats of state sanctions

During an appearance on TVN24's program Kropka nad i on 26 August 2026, Gawkowski announced that Polish authorities will initiate another regulatory intervention on 27 August 2026. He argued that platform takedown intervals of ten to twenty hours remain unacceptable for fraudulent material operating in Poland. Gawkowski stated that government legal teams are preparing enforcement measures, warning that the state will no longer tolerate slow responses from tech corporations. When asked about financial penalties, he stated that Poland is engaged in hybrid warfare against online disinformation and that the period of lenient enforcement has ended.

When something like scams stays online, they write that they sometimes take it down in 20 hours, sometimes in 10 hours. And I say: you should have minutes for this. Minutes!