Poland Urges EU Action Against TikTok's AI-Driven Disinformation on Polexit

January 5, 2026
Poland Urges EU Action Against TikTok's AI-Driven Disinformation on Polexit
  • 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


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