Poland is facing a serious cybersecurity concern just ahead of its presidential election. National authorities have uncovered what they believe may be a coordinated attempt at election interference funded from abroad. The Polish national cybersecurity agency, NASK, disclosed that a significant volume of political advertisements on social media platforms—particularly Facebook—has emerged in recent weeks, promoting various presidential candidates in what appears to be a suspicious and potentially manipulative manner.
According to the disinformation response center operated under NASK, the ads claim to support a range of candidates, including liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, nationalist Slawomir Mentzen, and historian Karol Nawrocki. However, analysts warn that the content may actually be designed to sow confusion, manipulate public opinion, or discredit the very candidates they appear to endorse. This form of so-called “false flag” promotion is not new in the realm of information warfare, but its application in Poland’s high-stakes political landscape is a growing concern.
Authorities note that these ads significantly outspent official campaign advertising in recent weeks, raising red flags about their financing. Early investigations suggest that these advertisements may be funded from outside Poland’s borders, though the precise origin remains unverified. The Polish government has formally reported the activities to Facebook's parent company Meta, and escalated the matter to the national Internal Security Agency for in-depth investigation.
Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski acknowledged the development in a public statement, stressing that Poland must take the matter seriously. He highlighted the risks of foreign disinformation campaigns and emphasized that democracy must be defended, especially during electoral cycles.
Poland has long expressed concerns about foreign influence operations, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a frontline NATO member and logistical hub for Western military aid flowing into Ukraine, Poland occupies a strategic and politically sensitive position in Eastern Europe. It has previously faced accusations of being targeted by Russian cyber operations and espionage.
The recent surge in suspicious political ads has reignited fears about digital platform vulnerabilities. The Polish government is now under pressure to enforce stricter regulations around political advertising transparency and social media accountability. Cybersecurity experts are calling for broader European cooperation in combating disinformation and digital interference in electoral processes.
This incident illustrates the evolving nature of election interference, shifting from traditional methods to sophisticated online manipulation. As social media continues to play a central role in political engagement, governments face increasing pressure to update legal frameworks, increase cross-border cybersecurity collaboration, and hold digital platforms accountable. The challenge lies not just in identifying the source of the interference, but in equipping the electorate with the media literacy to recognize manipulative content. As Poland continues its investigation, the rest of Europe—and indeed the world—should take note.