Poland Cracks Down on 'Trash Streaming' with Tougher Penalties

Poland's lawmakers have voted to impose stricter penalties on 'trash streaming,' which involves online broadcasts of crimes like rape, murder, and other violent acts. The new law includes jail terms of up to five years and is part of a larger initiative to regulate online content more rigorously.

In a decisive move to combat the growing issue of 'trash streaming,' Polish lawmakers have voted to implement stricter penalties for online broadcasts that depict severe crimes. The legislative measure was adopted on Thursday, mandating jail terms of up to five years for streaming criminal acts such as murder, rape, and animal cruelty.

This initiative forms part of Poland's broader strategy to enhance regulations over digital content. Included in recent legislative measures are restrictions against cell phone use by children under 16 in educational settings and tighter age checks for accessing adult content online.

The punishment also extends to those who falsely portray or simulate the commission of these crimes during live streams. Although the Digital Services Act (DSA) by the European Union provides a framework for handling harmful online content, individual member nations are responsible for enforcing penalties related to content creators.