Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski has sent a formal request to the European Commission to impose a €250 million fine on the Meta platform. During a Thursday press conference at the Sejm, the head of the Ministry of Digital Affairs informed that the application had already been submitted. According to research conducted by the Ministry of Digital Affairs and NASK, only a few percent of reported fraudulent content is quickly verified and removed from the internet.
Gawkowski emphasised that since the Meta platform needs only a few minutes for an advertisement to reach millions of citizens, it should take only a few minutes to verify and remove false content. The minister pointed to the discrepancy between the speed of advertising distribution and the time it takes to verify such content, which according to Meta sometimes takes days or even a dozen or so hours.
– As indicated by research from the Ministry of Digital Affairs and NASK, we are dealing with a situation where only a few percent of reported fraudulent content is quickly verified and disappears from the internet. We have hard evidence that the platform does not act in the interest of the user, but acts in its own interest, which allows it to profit from fraudulent advertisements – said Krzysztof Gawkowski.
Fast distribution requires fast verification
In the opinion of the head of the Ministry of Digital Affairs, Meta has the technical capability to respond instantly to reports of false content. He argued that since the platform can deliver an advertisement to millions of users within minutes, it should also be able to verify and remove untrue or fraudulent content just as quickly. Gawkowski stressed that the current state of affairs is unacceptable and requires immediate change.
– It cannot be that the Meta platform explains that it verifies advertisements and does so over days or sometimes a dozen or so hours. The goal is very simple: digital platforms such as Meta must verify content within minutes – emphasised the minister of digital affairs.
Hard evidence and the fine for Meta
Krzysztof Gawkowski informed that he has hard evidence that Meta has made enormous amounts of money from fraudulent advertisements over recent months and years. The minister stressed that the platform acts in its own interest, not in the interest of users, and it is on this activity that it earns money. The request to the European Commission for a €250 million fine is to be the first step towards holding Meta accountable.
– Meta now has an obligation to pay this fine, and we will demand that this money be returned to those citizens who have been defrauded – added the minister.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs has not disclosed whether Meta has responded to the Polish request, nor what the expected timelines are for the European Commission to consider the case. Gawkowski announced further action in the matter of protecting users from fraudulent online content. The minister stressed that Poland will consistently strive for digital platforms to take responsibility for the content they distribute and profit from. The request to the Commission for a fine against Meta is part of a broader policy of consumer protection in the digital space. Gawkowski announced that if Meta does not change its approach to content verification, Poland will take further legal steps.
The case will be monitored by the Ministry of Digital Affairs in cooperation with NASK and other institutions responsible for online security. The final decision on the fine rests with the European Commission, which will analyse the evidence presented by Poland. If the request is granted, Meta may be obliged to pay €250 million, and these funds are to be allocated to compensation for defrauded citizens. For now, Meta has not issued an official position on the matter, but the case may have a precedent‑setting effect for the entire digital market in Europe. The Ministry of Digital Affairs announces continued efforts to increase user protection against fraudulent online content. Further steps will depend on the European Commission’s decision and any response from Meta to the Polish allegations.
