Poland Pushes EU to Fine Meta for Fraudulent Ads Targeting Users
Aisha Mensah | AA
Poland's digital affairs minister urges the European Commission to levy a $291-million fine on Meta, citing the company's failure to combat fraudulent ads and harmful content targeting Polish users.
On Thursday, Krzysztof Gawkowski, Poland’s digital affairs minister, made a significant appeal to the European Commission, urging them to impose a substantial fine on Meta, the American technology giant. Gawkowski is calling for a €250-million ($291-million) penalty over the company's shortcomings in preventing fraudulent advertisements and malicious content targeting Polish consumers.
Emphasizing his concerns on US social media company X, Gawkowski stated that the current situation on Meta's platform resembles the 'Wild West.' He emphasized the need for Meta to adopt robust solutions to rectify these issues, calling for immediate action to eradicate scams, deceptive advertising, and the promotion of unlawful applications.
The minister expressed a strong warning against Meta's inaction and ineffective measures in combating these detrimental advertisements, noting the company’s accountability in safeguarding Polish users from such fraudulent content.
Detailing Poland’s Appeal and Its Concerns
In his appeal, Gawkowski published a portion of a letter directed to Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission's executive vice president responsible for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy. The letter highlighted significant issues in Meta's advertising practices, which remain non-compliant despite numerous alerts from Polish governmental bodies and cybersecurity experts.
The Polish government's push comes in response to alarming instances of deepfake content, including an AI-generated video falsely depicting Polish President Polish President, which promoted a deceptive investment scheme on Facebook. This incident further fueled concerns about the platform's advertising oversight and content moderation.
Prominent Polish entrepreneur Rafal Brzoska, known for founding the parcel company InPost, also expressed dissatisfaction over the unapproved usage of his likeness within fraudulent advertisements circulating across Meta's services. His critique adds to the list of grievances against these digital practices.
Meta’s Response to the Polish Allegations
In response to the criticisms, Meta admitted that tackling fraudulent content represents a highly intricate obstacle within today's digital ecosystems. The company emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts involving not just Meta, but also governments and law enforcement agencies worldwide to establish efficient countermeasures.
Meta reported that between July 2025 and June 2026, they had removed approximately 137,000 advertisements that originated in Poland for contravening policies on scams and fraud. Notably, more than 88% of these ads were taken down before any user reports were submitted.
Despite these actions, Gawkowski remained unconvinced, stressing that Meta had yet to implement satisfying or effective strategies that adequately protect users against fraudulent content.
Impact on Urban Digital Policy and Governance
The ongoing clash between Polish authorities and Meta presents unique challenges and opportunities for urban policymakers. The growing sophistication of digital scams necessitates stronger municipal oversight of online platforms, highlighting the need for cities to forge alliances with technology firms and regulatory agencies for enhanced public protection.
Additionally, this case emphasizes the critical importance of digital literacy programs in urban governance. Educating citizens on identifying and avoiding fraudulent advertisements could enhance protective measures, reducing the susceptibility of the population to scams and misleading content.
Adapting urban strategies to address these modern challenges will be crucial for maintaining trust in digital platforms and ensuring public safety, reinforcing the role of cities in the evolving landscape of digital ecosystems.
Questions That Matter
What action did Poland urge against Meta?
Poland's digital affairs minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, called on the European Commission to impose a €250-million ($291-million) fine on Meta for fraudulent advertisements and harmful content targeting Polish users.
What was Rafal Brzoska's concern about Meta?
Polish billionaire Rafal Brzoska criticized the unauthorized use of his image in fraudulent advertisements on Meta-owned platforms, contributing to the concerns raised by Polish authorities.