Sejm passes bill letting courts order blocking of illegal online content
The lower house approved the amendment 242 to 61, with 136 abstentions, after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed an earlier version in January. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Vote in the lower house
The Sejm adopted an amendment to the act on providing services by electronic means on Thursday, 8 October 2026. The bill drew 242 votes in favour, 61 against and 136 abstentions. Deputies from every party in the ruling coalition voted for it, Law and Justice (PiS) abstained, and Rozwój Plus and the Confederation voted against. The Ministry of Digital Affairs drafted the amendment, which sets up a procedure for quickly issuing orders that restrict access to content breaking the law online while respecting the rights of internet users. The bill now goes to the Senate.
- In favour
- 242 votes
- Against
- 61 votes
- Abstained
- 136 votes
Why the bill returned
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the first version of the amendment in January, and the veto prevented Poland from implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA). The DSA has applied across the European Union for more than two years, and the articles say Poland faces high financial penalties from the Court of Justice of the European Union (TSUE) for failing to implement it. The new bill had its second reading in early September but had no date set for a final vote. It reached the voting block on Thursday afternoon after Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for rules allowing the state to block hate speech online immediately. Tusk made the remark during a government meeting convened in response to recent attacks in schools, and he said the previous law had been vetoed by the president.
- President Karol Nawrocki vetoes the first version of the amendment
- Second reading in the Sejm, with no date set for the final vote
- Bill enters the voting block after Tusk's remarks and the Sejm adopts it
What the law allows
Courts and competent authorities will be able to issue orders restricting access to content that breaks the law, such as material linked to crimes, hate speech, fraud or copyright infringement. Internet service providers, including platforms, will have to carry out those decisions. The president of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) will keep a register of websites used to spread illegal content. A user whose content is restricted may ask for it to be restored if they consider the block mistaken, but must first use the content notice system offered by the provider. Decisions restricting access can be appealed to a common court, which will assess whether the disputed content actually breaks the law.
Immediate blocking in urgent cases
An amendment proposed by PiS and Polska 2050 and adopted by the Sejm gives immediate enforceability to decisions blocking pornographic content involving minors or animals, and content in drastic form. In especially urgent cases, the prosecutor's office, the Police, the National Revenue Administration (KAS) and the Border Guard can apply for swift blocking. According to the articles, this covers material linked to sexual exploitation of children, identity theft and fraud. During work on the bill the Sejm rejected Confederation's amendments and one proposal from PiS. Tusk said the measure would protect children, students and teachers from online hate speech.
