EU Tightens Oversight of ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox

The European Union is placing ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter regulatory oversight. The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE). Reddit and Roblox have simultaneously been classified as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs). The reason for the designation is their reach within the European Union. According to the European Commission, ChatGPT has an average of around 159.1 million active users per month in the EU. Reddit reaches approximately 57.2 million, while Roblox has around 46.6 million monthly active users.

All three services therefore exceed the threshold of 45 million monthly users, above which the strictest requirements of the Digital Services Act apply.

What Does the Classification Mean?

The Digital Services Act, or DSA, is designed to hold large digital platforms more accountable for the impact of their services. Very large platforms and search engines are therefore subject to additional obligations. Among other requirements, companies must systematically assess the risks created by their services and algorithms and develop measures to reduce those risks. These risks may include the spread of illegal content, potential harm to minors, effects on users’ physical and mental health, and risks to fundamental rights, elections or public security. The designation does not mean that ChatGPT, Reddit or Roblox have violated European law. Rather, it means that because of their size and societal influence, the services will now be subject to stricter oversight.

Particularly Significant: ChatGPT Is Being Treated as a Search Engine

One of the most notable aspects of the decision is the legal classification of ChatGPT. While Reddit and Roblox are considered very large online platforms, the EU has classified ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine. This highlights how significantly the role of AI assistants has changed. Services such as ChatGPT are no longer used solely to generate text or answer questions. Millions of people now use AI systems to research information, compare products, summarize news and partially replace traditional internet searches. The EU’s regulatory approach therefore reflects a broader shift that is becoming increasingly relevant for traditional search engines and media companies as well.

More Transparency and Oversight

Under the DSA, very large platforms are subject to extensive requirements. These include greater transparency around recommendation algorithms and moderation decisions, as well as mandatory assessments of systemic risks. Certain large platforms must also provide users with options to receive recommendations that are not based on personal profiling. The European Commission plays a central role in enforcing the rules for VLOPs and VLOSEs. If violations of the Digital Services Act are established, significant penalties can follow. In the most serious cases, fines can reach up to six percent of a provider’s global annual turnover. Following their designation, ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox will have several months to fully comply with the additional requirements.

Europe’s Digital Regulation Enters the AI Era

The decision is particularly significant for the artificial intelligence industry. Until now, European regulatory debates have often focused on traditional social networks, online marketplaces and search engines. Generative AI services are now increasingly moving into the regulatory spotlight. ChatGPT’s designation demonstrates that the EU no longer views AI platforms merely as experimental technologies, but as digital infrastructure with considerable societal influence. For OpenAI, this means additional regulatory obligations. For users, the development could eventually provide greater transparency into how information is selected, recommended and presented. For the wider technology industry, the decision sends a clear message: services that reach tens of millions of people in Europe are increasingly expected to take responsibility for the broader societal impact of their systems.