New information has surfaced about disinformation campaigns in cyberspace tied to the late stages of the election cycle. The Scientific and Academic Computer Network – National Research Institute, commonly known as NASK, issued a warning about these threats today and underscored the elevated risk as polls approach closure.
In recent days, CERT Polska analysts have identified ongoing disinformation operations online. They alerted voters to deceptive messages aimed at influencing the conduct of elections for the Sejm and the Senate, noting that external actors may be trying to sway public opinion during the final stretch of the campaign.
The patterns observed by NASK involve disinformers sending counterfeit emails and text messages that claim to present false program proposals while impersonating the Electoral Commission for Law and Justice. The aim is to sow confusion and erode trust in legitimate election processes.
Mass dissemination of deceptive content
Investigations show that such messages were spread through a mix of compromised or unsecured domains that resembled official electoral sites, along with SMS gateways used to distribute large volumes of messages. The tactic relies on familiarity and urgency to prompt recipients to react before verifying the source.
NASK reiterates that official election information appears on the commissions’ legitimate websites and verified social media accounts. Voters are advised to scrutinize messages from unknown senders and to verify the authenticity of any election-related correspondence through authoritative channels.
The editors are urged to handle this topic with care and restraint, avoiding amplification of misinformation intended to influence Poland’s elections by foreign operations. This appeal reflects a broader call for responsible reporting that minimizes the spread of unverified claims.
– an official appeal.
There have been statements from political figures denying involvement in the spread of deceptive messages. A spokesperson for a major party asserted that mass text messages bearing the party’s name were not issued by the party, urging an end to fraud and manipulation.
The government response
The Minister of Digital Affairs shared a message from the national cybersecurity agency, which has been actively monitoring disinformation activity. The communication underscored that CERT Polska has received information about ongoing online disinformation and warned voters that the final days of the election campaign represent a period of heightened risk from external actors seeking to influence the Sejm and the Senate elections.
The same report detailed that the disinformation campaigns involved impersonations of electoral authorities, including the distribution of false program proposals via fake emails and messages and the exploitation of unsecured domains and mass SMS gateways. The official guidance reminded the public that official electoral programs and notices are accessible through verified channels and that messages from unfamiliar sources should be treated with skepticism.
The situation was also acknowledged by the Government’s designated official for information security, who cautioned the public about growing disinformation activities during the closing phase of the electoral campaign. Public communications stressed vigilance against deceptive content and encouraged readers to rely on verified information sources.
❗️WARNING DISINFORMATION❗️ ⚠️ Additional reports describe the spread of deceptive text messages in Poland as part of a broader disinformation operation. Earlier alerts noted that these actions may be connected to ongoing foreign influence campaigns targeting Poland’s elections.
The purpose behind such disinformation is often to provoke hostility toward the governing party or to undermine trust in public institutions. Analysts emphasize that the outcome depends on how recipients respond, including how the media coverage frames these alerts.
In summary, authorities stress the need for continued vigilance, strict source verification, and responsible reporting and consumption of political messaging during the election period.