Poland reports massive disinformation campaign linked to bot networks

The Polish state research institute, NASK, reported 9,649 pieces of false or misleading online content to social media operators as of November 6. Of these, 9,471 were linked to bot networks.

The disinformation campaigns primarily focused on political tensions surrounding the Constitutional Tribunal. False narratives included claims of German military and police intervention in Poland. While politicians shared footage of Bundeswehr soldiers in Warsaw, German Ambassador Miguel Berger clarified the troops were attending an embassy event for the 71st anniversary of the Bundeswehr. Similarly, videos of German police vehicles were identified as part of an international railway security exercise held in October.

Other false claims involved Polish riot police allegedly using equipment from the Hamburg police and the misuse of police vehicle loudspeakers as weapons, both of which authorities denied. Additionally, false rumors regarding the imposition of martial law were circulated by media figures. The campaign also utilized AI-manipulated images, including a fake image depicting Karol Nawrocki allegedly pushing a judge at the Constitutional Tribunal.