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EU Digital Services Act platform designations

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2026-09-04 05:57 UTC → 2026-09-05 21:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The European Commission has designated ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as subject to the strictest regulatory requirements under the Digital Services Act (DSA). This classification follows the services surpassing the threshold of 45 million monthly active users in the European Union. ChatGPT has been specifically classified as a ‘very large online search engine’ (VLOSE), marking the first time a conversational AI model has received this designation. The Commission noted that ChatGPT functions as a hybrid search engine by accessing the internet to provide answers. Reddit and Roblox have been categorized as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOP). Recent data indicates ChatGPT reported approximately 159 million monthly users, while Reddit and Roblox reported 57.2 million and approximately 47 million monthly users, respectively. Under these designations, the companies must implement enhanced measures to mitigate systemic risks, such as the spread of illegal content, threats to the protection of minors, impacts on mental health, and threats to electoral processes or public security. Regulated entities are required to conduct regular risk assessments, undergo annual independent audits, and share specific data with the European Commission and relevant authorities. These entities must implement enhanced transparency and risk-mitigation measures by January 2027. Failure to adhere to the regulations can result in financial penalties of up to 6% of the companies' total global annual revenue. The Commission’s oversight includes the power to investigate service functionalities and, in crisis situations, activate mechanisms to mandate changes to algorithmic systems or increase the visibility of reliable information sources. While the designation subjects ChatGPT to stricter oversight, some experts note that classifying it as a search engine may not fully address the unique risks posed by its conversational and generative capabilities, which differ from traditional search engines.

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