Poland Criminalizes 'Trash Streaming' with up to 5-Year Prison Terms
President Karol Nawrocki signed legislation on July 17 making it illegal to broadcast violence, abuse, or degradation for profit or online popularity. The law targets so-called 'patostreaming' and received broad political support.
Poland has taken a decisive step to combat harmful online content by criminalizing so-called "trash streaming" (patostreaming in Polish). Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed the legislation into law on July 17, introducing penalties of up to five years behind bars for the most serious offenses.
What the Law Covers
The law makes it a crime to publicly distribute online content for financial or personal gain that depicts serious crimes, animal abuse, or the degrading treatment of another person. It can apply even when the person shown in the broadcast consented to the treatment. Offenders face sentences of up to three years, while streams showing or staging more serious crimes can result in up to five years in prison.
Political Support and Implementation
The legislation received broad political support after being approved by parliament in June, with backing from both Prime Minister Donald Tusk's governing coalition and the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party. The far-right Confederation party opposed the measure, arguing it could restrict freedom of expression and lead to censorship.
The new law is part of Poland's broader efforts to improve online safety and strengthen protections for children against harmful digital content. If you use streaming platforms or have family members who do, understand that Poland now treats the creation and distribution of violent or abusive content as a serious crime—even if clips go viral across borders.
Sources
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