The lower house, the Sejm, voted on Thursday to accept nine of 10 amendments proposed by the Senate, the upper house, to legislation implementing the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA).
The measures would allow authorities to order internet platforms to restrict access to illegal material, including content involving fraud, identity theft, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and incitement to violence.
A Senate amendment would allow immediate action against online threats or incitement to violence motivated by race, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
The provision divided lawmakers. An attempt to reject it failed by 238 votes to 194, with most of those seeking its removal coming from the opposition Law and Justice (PiS), Confederation and Development Plus parties.
Under the legislation, decisions to block such content could be issued by the head of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) or the chair of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT), Poland's broadcasting regulator.
The law also provides for immediate enforcement of orders involving particularly serious offenses, including incitement to suicide or murder.
Other blocking orders would generally be subject to judicial review before enforcement. Users whose content is restricted would be able to challenge decisions in court and seek restoration of material removed in error.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for new rules to tackle hate speech following a series of attacks at schools in early October. He said authorities needed the power to immediately block hate speech online to protect children, students and teachers.
The legislation now goes to President Karol Nawrocki, who vetoed an earlier version in January, arguing that it threatened freedom of expression.
The new legislation forms part of Poland's implementation of the EU's Digital Services Act, which has applied across the bloc since February 2024.
Poland has faced pressure from the European Commission to complete implementation, with the EU's executive referring the country to the Court of Justice of the European Union over its failure to establish the required enforcement arrangements.
Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski told senators that the European Commission had called on Poland to act immediately.
Nawrocki signed a separate law in September designating the head of the Office of Electronic Communications as Poland's digital services coordinator. That legislation takes effect on November 6.
The president now has 21 days to sign the latest bill, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal for review. If signed, the new provisions will take effect three months after publication.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR/PAP