Poland Urges EU Action Against TikTok's AI-Driven Disinformation on Polexit
January 5, 2026
Poland’s deputy digital affairs minister warns that TikTok is spreading AI-generated disinformation about Poland’s EU membership, suggesting it may be part of an organized campaign and urging enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act.
The Polish government has written to European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen requesting that the EU initiate DSA proceedings against TikTok, citing risks to public order, information security, and democratic processes.
Poland also accuses TikTok of pushing Polexit via AI-generated videos, describing the content as Russian disinformation aimed at a young audience.
Under the DSA, very large online platforms must proactively identify and mitigate systemic risks, with failures potentially triggering fines up to six percent of global annual turnover.
This case is framed as part of a global pattern of AI-driven manipulation in elections and referendums, underscoring the need for rapid regulatory and platform adaptation to protect democracy.
The discussion raises broader EU regulatory questions about detecting synthetic media, accountability for tools and creators, platform obligations for preemptive screening or watermarking, and political ad transparency.
The issue is politically salient in 2026 amid multiple EU elections, with concerns about online manipulation influencing outcomes across member states.
Technical aspects include realistic talking-head avatars, rapid script iteration, demographic targeting on platforms like TikTok, and automated scaling to simulate grassroots support.
Public opinion data show Polexit support rising to about 25%, though surveys predated the AI-driven Polish-language channel and right-wing groups show mixed stances.
The Commission seeks to demonstrate that new platform rules can shield democratic processes from automated disinformation, while balancing freedom of expression; initiatives like the European Democracy Shield aim to bolster fact-checking networks.
TikTok has not provided substantive public responses, but the European Commission notes ongoing monitoring of its DSA compliance and past consultations on AI-related countermeasures.
The piece frames this as a shift from nuisance AI content to weaponized, scalable AI-generated messaging capable of swaying real-world politics.
Summary based on 4 sources
Get a daily email with more EU News stories
Sources

Independent Newspaper Nigeria • Jan 5, 2026
Polish Government Calls On Brussels To Stop TikTok Videos Calling For ‘Polexit’
European Newsroom • Jan 5, 2026
The European Commission gathers material on AI content on TikTok concerning Poland’s membership in the European Union