Taking Pictures of Critical Infrastructure Now Prohibited in Poland

Starting today, photography and videography of critical infrastructure facilities are prohibited in Poland.

Polish Radio for Ukraine reported on this.

On Thursday, April 17, the regulation limiting such activities came into force.

The ban applies not only to military units and Ministry of Defense facilities, but also to gas terminals, energy and water supply facilities, bridges, tunnels, and more.

General Wiesław Kukuła explained that the new measure aims to prevent intentional photography of important facilities, particularly close-up shots.

Drivers entering military facilities are also required to turn off their dashcams.

It is noted that this decision has been made for security reasons in response to modern threats.

From now on, such locations will have signs with the inscription “ZAKAZ FOTOGRAFOWANIA” — “Photography Prohibited.”

However, even without such warnings, the obligation to comply with the ban remains in effect.

Depending on the circumstances and the nature of the violation, a person who photographed objects critical to the security of the state may face the following sanctions:

• A fine
• Administrative detention
• Confiscation of the equipment used for filming, such as a phone, camera, drone, or video camera.

In Poland, photographing such facilities is now only allowed with prior permission obtained from the relevant authorities. This applies not only to Polish citizens but also to anyone in the country.

In March, Poland detained a saboteur suspected of committing arson attacks in Warsaw on behalf of Russian intelligence services. The suspect recorded his actions on his phone camera. The footage was later published on Russian propaganda websites.