EU designates ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox under strictest Digital Services Act rules

Designation under the Digital Services Act

The European Commission classified ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox under the strictest tier of the Digital Services Act on Monday, 31 August 2026. Under the regulatory ruling, ChatGPT is designated as a Very Large Online Search Engine, while Reddit and Roblox are classified as Very Large Online Platforms. The status applies to online services that exceed the threshold of 45 million average monthly active users in the European Union, representing roughly 10% of the bloc's total population. The addition of these three services brings the European Union's registry of very large online platforms and search engines to 28 services, joining platforms such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, TikTok, Amazon, and Wikipedia. Earlier in 2026, the European Union applied the same regulatory classification to WhatsApp, which joined Facebook and Instagram on the list.

Search engine classification for artificial intelligence

The decision makes ChatGPT the first artificial intelligence system subjected to the European Union's highest tier of platform regulation. European regulators determined that OpenAI's model functions as a search engine because it performs real-time internet searches and provides direct web links to original source materials. Reddit and Roblox received the platform designation because both services host and publicly distribute content created by third parties, ranging from discussion threads in thematic communities to user-built interactive gaming environments. Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, stated the basis for the enforcement move.

These new designations mean that ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox will now be held to a higher standard of scrutiny and accountability in the European Union, in line with their large impact on our citizens and society.

User metrics and audience thresholds

The designations follow user metric declarations submitted by the three United States-based technology companies to European authorities. OpenAI disclosed that ChatGPT had more than 159 million monthly active users in the European Union at the end of March 2026, a user base comprising more than one-third of the bloc's population. Reddit recorded more than 57 million monthly active users across the member states. Roblox reported 46.6 million active European players, narrowly surpassing the statutory 45 million user threshold required for the enhanced designation.

Compliance rules and penalty structure

The newly designated services have four months, until the end of November 2026, to align their internal operations with the expanded obligations of the Digital Services Act. OpenAI, Reddit, and Roblox must conduct formal risk assessments to identify and mitigate systemic risks arising from their algorithms and design. These obligations cover the spread of illegal content, potential negative effects on minors, impacts on physical and mental health, threats to fundamental rights, and risks to electoral processes and public security. Companies must establish dedicated points of contact for European regulators and users, present accessible terms and conditions, report criminal offenses, undergo annual independent audits, and provide data access to vetted researchers. Failure to comply with these statutory requirements carries potential financial fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover, along with potential temporary operating prohibitions in the European Union for serious and repeated violations.