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Public policy work in Poland
By: Maciej Nadzikiewicz (User:Nadzik)

A group of Wikimedia volunteers is fighting for new internet regulations to be fair and inclusive for NGOs. Maciej Nadzikiewicz and Szymon Grabarczuk are participating in the public consultations set up by the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs.

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Two Wikimedia volunteers from Poland, Maciej Nadzikiewicz and Szymon Grabarczuk have participated in the recent consultation with the Polish Ministry of Digital Affairs. Poland is the last country to implement the European Union's Digital Services Act – a law that puts Wikipedia in the same category as Facebook, TikTok or Amazon. Szymon and Maciej are supported by Wikimedia Europe, an association of 27 European Wikimedia affiliates who work together on public policy and advocacy.

The consultations were announced by the Ministry in early January 2024. Wikimedia volunteers were one of 38 organisations that participated in the process; advocating for increased citizen control over the new law and the increased independence of the new body from the central government. The translated text of their submission can be read here.

After the first round of feedback was completed, in April 2024 the Ministry approached 25 selected organisations with the request to participate in the official public commentary. Maciej and Szymon participated in the process again, offering the perspective of the Wikimedia Movement. Among the most important things were:

  • Raising the importance of increased citizen control – This was not addressed by the Ministry after the initial feedback and had to be brought up again,
  • Just monetary penalties – The project sets out a minimal penalty of over 110 000 euro (500 000 PLN) for any organisation not in compliance. While this amount is easily manageable for BigTech companies, it may prove a big hit to a local Wikimedia affiliate and even the Wikimedia Foundation,
  • Fine allocation – Instead of government profit, volunteers advocated for the money from the fines to be used and appropriated for activities concerning the promotion of digital knowledge and education as well as online and digital safety.

Their translated commentary is available here.

After the feedback, the law will now be introduced to both houses of the Polish Parliament. Maciej and Szymon, supported by Wikimedia Europe, will be monitoring the progress, which will conclude the Digital Services Act implementation in the European Union. The process, including other public policy initiatives, is outlined at User:Nadzik/Policy.