Digital integrity at risk: EU Initiative to strengthen the Right to be forgotten gains momentum

(IN BRIEF) Robert Szustkowski, a philanthropist and key advocate for digital rights, is spearheading a European initiative to expand the Right to Be Forgotten, as outlined in the GDPR, to include media organizations as data controllers. This initiative is designed to address the growing societal challenge of disinformation, which has become a major concern across Europe, including Poland. A recent ruling from the Polish Supreme Administrative Court has validated this approach, affirming that the Right to Be Forgotten can serve as an independent legal basis for removing personal data from online publications. Szustkowski’s vision aims to protect citizens from the rising tide of fake news and misinformation, which has been exacerbated by the unregulated nature of digital platforms. His proposal calls for systemic changes in the legal and technological landscape, including the creation of a registry for personal rights violations and the appointment of a Reader’s Rights Ombudsman to assist individuals in filing complaints. With the growing support of EU institutions, Szustkowski’s efforts aim to reshape Europe’s approach to online accountability, ensuring the protection of democratic values in the digital era.

(PRESS RELEASE) WARSAW, 3-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Across Europe—including Poland—disinformation has emerged as a profound societal challenge, affecting both individuals and communities. A recent Eurobarometer study underscores the scale of the issue, with 45% of EU citizens identifying false or misleading media content as a serious concern.

In response, a growing movement is calling on the European Union to reinforce its democratic defences through investment in reliable journalism and robust fact-checking infrastructure. At the forefront of this effort is Robert Szustkowski, philanthropist and architect of a pioneering European initiative aimed at expanding the Right to Be Forgotten—enshrined in the GDPR—to include media organizations as data controllers.

This initiative received significant validation from a recent decision by the Polish Supreme Administrative Court (NSA), which confirmed that the Right to Be Forgotten can serve as an autonomous legal basis for demanding the removal of personal data from online publications. The ruling marks a critical development in aligning digital rights with the evolving landscape of online threats.

According to the 2022 Eurobarometer, one in three EU citizens is regularly exposed to false content online. Globally, 60% of people express unease about their ability to differentiate between factual and fabricated information.

“In response to the increasing threat of disinformation, the EU must adopt legal measures to better protect citizens from fake news. Only quality and responsible journalism can fill the gap currently occupied by unaccountable social media platforms,” stresses Robert Szustkowski.

Digital platforms, often operating with minimal regulatory oversight, provide fertile ground for actors who capitalize on sensationalist narratives surrounding health, immigration, EU policy, and high-profile individuals or companies. This trend presents a serious risk to Europe’s digital future, particularly in Poland, where the frequency of disinformation attacks continues to rise.

Beyond local implications, disinformation has become a global political instrument, capable of reshaping public opinion at both domestic and international levels. Gillian Tett, renowned columnist for the Financial Times, warns that this is not a battle against free speech, but a matter of digital accountability: “It’s about introducing safeguards against abusive activism and supporting fact-checking social platforms.”

Szustkowski’s initiative—now gathering support within EU institutions—seeks to close critical legal and technological gaps by redefining the role of media in protecting personal data and combatting harmful content. His vision calls for systemic change, including the creation of a registry of personal rights violations and the appointment of a Reader’s Rights Ombudsman to assist individuals in filing standardised complaints against digital misinformation.

As Europe moves deeper into the digital age, efforts like these will shape the norms of online accountability, determining whether democratic values can withstand the age of algorithm-driven disinformation.

Media contact:

Robert Szustkowski
Press Office
media@szustkowski.ch
office@5peurope.org
+48 792356056

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Robert Szustkowski’s initiative about?
   Robert Szustkowski is leading an initiative to expand the Right to Be Forgotten, as established by the GDPR, to include media organizations as data controllers. This initiative aims to address the growing issue of disinformation in Europe by allowing individuals to request the removal of personal data from online publications, contributing to the protection of citizens’ digital rights.
2. What recent legal development supports Szustkowski’s initiative?
   The Polish Supreme Administrative Court recently ruled that the Right to Be Forgotten can serve as an independent legal basis for removing personal data from online publications. This ruling validates Szustkowski’s initiative and supports the broader effort to align digital rights with the evolving challenges of online misinformation.
3. Why is disinformation a growing concern in Europe?
   Disinformation is a significant concern in Europe because of its ability to influence public opinion and disrupt democratic processes. A recent Eurobarometer study revealed that 45% of EU citizens consider false or misleading media content a serious issue. Disinformation, often spread through unregulated digital platforms, is also a global political tool that can shape public discourse and undermine trust in institutions.
4. How does Szustkowski’s initiative aim to address the problem of disinformation?
   Szustkowski’s initiative seeks to tackle disinformation by improving the legal framework around personal data protection and media accountability. His plan includes creating a registry for personal rights violations, establishing a Reader’s Rights Ombudsman to assist individuals in filing complaints against digital misinformation, and expanding the Right to Be Forgotten to better protect citizens from false content.
5. What role does the European Union play in this initiative?
   The European Union, through various institutions, is increasingly recognizing the need to address disinformation and protect citizens in the digital age. Szustkowski’s initiative is gathering support from EU institutions, and it is seen as part of the broader effort to ensure that digital platforms operate responsibly, protect personal data, and combat harmful content.
6. What is the significance of the Polish Supreme Administrative Court’s ruling?
   The ruling by the Polish Supreme Administrative Court is a landmark decision that supports the expansion of the Right to Be Forgotten to include media organizations. This decision is critical in reinforcing the legal framework for personal data removal and aligns digital rights with the need to combat misinformation in online spaces.
7. What are the broader implications of this initiative for Europe’s digital future?
   Szustkowski’s initiative has the potential to reshape the digital landscape in Europe by promoting greater accountability for media organizations and digital platforms. If successfully implemented, it would strengthen legal protections against disinformation and foster a more responsible, transparent digital environment, supporting democratic values in the digital era.
8. How does the Reader’s Rights Ombudsman fit into this initiative?
   The Reader’s Rights Ombudsman would be responsible for helping individuals file standardized complaints against digital misinformation. This role would provide citizens with a formal channel to address grievances related to disinformation and protect their digital rights in an evolving media landscape.

SOURCE: Szustkowski.ch