Poland Introduces Prison Sentences for Online Crime Streaming
Polish lawmakers have voted to criminalize "trash streaming," introducing prison sentences of up to five years for individuals who broadcast serious crimes online. The new law targets the streaming of acts such as rape, murder, animal cruelty, humiliating violence, and the promotion of gambling. It also applies to simulated or falsely portrayed depictions of these offenses. This legislative change is part of Poland's wider effort to increase regulation of online content.
Polish lawmakers have approved new legislation criminalizing "trash streaming," which will impose prison sentences of up to five years for individuals who broadcast serious crimes online. The offenses covered by the new law include the streaming of acts such as rape, murder, animal cruelty, humiliating violence, and the promotion of gambling.
The provisions extend to individuals who simulate or falsely portray the commission of such crimes while streaming. Specifically, broadcasting crimes punishable by more than five years in prison, including murder or rape, will now be classified as a separate offense, also punishable by up to five years behind bars.
This legislative development is part of a broader push by Poland to tighten the regulation of online content. Recent measures undertaken by the country include banning the use of mobile phones by children under 16 in schools and implementing stricter age verification rules for accessing pornography.
According to Slashdot, citing Reuters, lawmakers stated that these penalties apply uniformly to both real and simulated depictions of the specified illicit acts.
