WARSAW – On Tuesday, Poland's Council of Ministers approved a new legislative proposal that would require websites and online platforms featuring adult content to verify the age of their users, aiming to block minors from accessing such material.
Deputy Digital Affairs Minister Michał Gramatyka described the proposed "Act on the Protection of Minors Against Access to Pornographic Content" as essential. He noted that websites offering adult material currently lack effective safeguards, leaving minors vulnerable to both intentional and accidental exposure.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Digital Affairs, the bill does not force providers to adopt any single technical solution. Instead, it outlines recommended age verification methods.
Deputy Minister Dariusz Standerski added that the government plans to promote the use of the European Digital Identity Wallet as part of the new verification system. "We aim to introduce secure and anonymous age checking by the end of 2026," Standerski said.
Under the proposed legislation, telecommunications companies would be required to block access to any site that fails to implement the age verification rules. Non-compliant platforms could also face financial penalties.
The bill still needs to pass through Poland's parliament and receive approval from President Karol Nawrocki. Earlier this year, Nawrocki vetoed a different bill that would have incorporated the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) into Polish law, including its age verification measures.
Poland has fallen behind other European Union member states in adopting the DSA requirements, and the European Commission may take punitive action against the country for failing to enforce the rules.
