The dispute between Rafał Brzoska and Meta has escalated beyond a simple disagreement between an entrepreneur and the owner of Facebook. Following a series of public accusations from the InPost CEO, digitalization minister Krzysztof Gawkowski has intervened, accusing the tech giant of profiting from misleading advertisements that utilize the images of well-known individuals. He also announced a revival of efforts to implement EU regulations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Brzoska has not limited his actions to formal complaints. In various public statements, he has sharply criticized Meta’s approach to combating online fraud, suggesting that the company fails to utilize its technological capabilities to eliminate false advertisements effectively. Additionally, Meta has blocked the businessman’s account on Instagram.
Gawkowski: Meta Profits While Shifting Responsibility
Speaking on the matter, Minister Gawkowski emphasized in a post on platform X that Meta “must understand it is not above the law.” According to him, the case of Rafał Brzoska illustrates a mechanism where someone’s likeness is exploited for fraud, the platform runs the advertisement and reaps the financial rewards, while attempting to shift the accountability to an anonymous advertiser.
The minister also pointed out allegations of blocking individuals who publicly highlight the issue of false advertisements. He termed such actions as censorship and noted that this situation extends far beyond the interests of a single entrepreneur.
Gawkowski stressed that the stakes involve the safety of millions of social media users who could fall victim to financial frauds employing deepfakes, forged videos, and fictitious investment offers.
Background of Regulatory Efforts
In his remarks, the minister reminded that some solutions intended to enhance the effectiveness of tackling scams had previously been vetoed by the president. However, he announced that the government continues to work on implementing the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), with new legislation set to be presented to parliament once more.
The DSA aims to provide state authorities and users with stronger tools to enforce accountability from major online platforms. The regulations include obligations for swift responses to illegal content and increased transparency in platform operations.
