Candidate for head of the Office of Electronic Communications: I do not agree with censoring the internet, but...

• Przemysław Kuna, candidate for president of the Office of Electronic Communications, wants to focus on telecommunications, the postal market and internet supervision.
• During the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Digitization, Innovation and Modern Technologies, Kuna emphasized that he opposes internet censorship, but sees the need to introduce mechanisms for verification and rapid response to harmful content, especially that threatening the youngest users.
• The Sejm will review his candidacy, possibly during the current session.

Telecommunications, the postal market, and internet supervision – these are the three pillars of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) that Przemysław Kuna wants to focus on. He is a candidate for the position of head of the office. He could replace Jacek Oko, whose five-year term has just ended.

Members of Parliament's Digital Affairs, Innovation, and Modern Technologies Committee gave him a positive recommendation. The appointment will now be considered by MPs at a plenary session, possibly as early as this week.

The candidate for the president of the Office of Electronic Communications wants to check why people have a negative opinion about Poczta Polska.

Regarding the postal market, Przemysław Kuna recalled that the issue of low quality of postal services in Poland is often raised in public debate and announced that he would analyze the reasons for this state of affairs.

He also noted that although Poczta Polska holds designated operator status, the traditional letter market is systematically shrinking, while the courier services segment is growing dynamically, primarily thanks to foreign players. Kuna indicated that it's worth considering whether any regulatory intervention is necessary to improve the functioning of the postal market.

Regarding the telecommunications market, Kuna praised its development. He set a goal for the office : simplifying reporting for small telecommunications operators .

The candidate for UKE president also argued that the internet and telecommunications should be treated as critical infrastructure . He acknowledged the need to strengthen the security of networks and services.

The new act gives the Office of Electronic Communications very broad powers

However, the committee's meeting focused most on regulating the internet. This stems from the government's adoption of a bill that aims to block illegal content online. The bill implements the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and significantly expands the powers of the President of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE).

The bill assumes that, in most cases, the President of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) will oversee the application of DSA provisions in Poland . The bill authorizes individuals, as well as certain state bodies, including the prosecutor's office, the police, and the National Revenue Administration, to submit a request for an order to block illegal content.

Content related to 27 prohibited acts will be blocked, including threats, incitement to murder, and fraud. The President of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) and the Chairman of the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) will be able to issue an order to remove the content, in the case of video platforms. The decision will not be subject to appeal, but the author of the content will be notified and may file an appeal with a common court.

Under the proposed regulations, the President of the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE) will also be able to act as a coordinator for digital services in matters related to the Digital Services Act at the national and European levels. Together with the advisory National Council for Digital Services, the President will be responsible for, among other things, reviewing complaints filed against platforms and conducting administrative proceedings related to the EU regulation.

"No" to censorship, "yes" to tools to protect the youngest

Members of Parliament present in the chamber pointed out that the introduction of the DSA may create a temptation to implement internet censorship . Przemysław Kuna emphasized that he does not agree with censorship, even if it were motivated by safety or security.

He acknowledged, however, the need for online verification and protection mechanisms, especially for the youngest users. He positively assessed the DSA project.

Kuna said that the last two years he worked at NASK changed his approach to the internet. He had the opportunity to observe what reports of harmful content were sent to the institution.

"I didn't previously have any source data that would allow me to verify the scale," he admitted. "For the sake of our children, we should be able to have mechanisms for rapid response and rapid reaction."

Przemysław Kuna assured that he had no intention of expressing his opinion subjectively.