ChatGPT Faces Tougher Rules Under EU Online Safety Regime

 ChatGPT Faces Tougher Rules Under EU Online Safety Regime

**The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a "very large online search engine" under the Digital Services Act, marking the first time an AI chatbot has been subjected to the bloc's strictest digital regulations.**

On Monday, August 31, 2026, the European Commission officially classified ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox under the DSA, triggering a four-month deadline for the companies to comply with enhanced obligations aimed at systemic risk mitigation.

The move, the first designation of a standalone AI system under the DSA, establishes a precedent for regulating large language models within the EU's digital rulebook. It subjects OpenAI to heightened scrutiny alongside major social media platforms.

## The Trigger: 45 Million Users

The DSA's "very large" designation applies to platforms and search engines with more than 45 million monthly active users in the 27-nation bloc, a threshold ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox reported meeting.

OpenAI's transparency report for 2025 indicated ChatGPT had approximately **120 million users in the EU**, representing over a third of the bloc's population. Reddit reported more than 57 million users, while Roblox stated it had 46.6 million active players in the region.

The designations were announced by Henna Virkkunen, the Commission's executive vice president for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy. "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," she said.

## Regulatory Classification: A Precedent for AI

The Commission classified ChatGPT as a **Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE)** because it can respond to user prompts and queries, including by searching the web. Reddit and Roblox were designated as **Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs)** because they enable users to disseminate third-party content to the public.

The classification marks the first time a standalone AI system has been placed in this category, setting a precedent for how the EU will regulate large generative AI systems. Lena-Maria Boswald of the German tech think tank Interface noted the decision "would set a precedent and influence the regulatory expectations for every large generative AI system used in the EU."

## New Compliance Requirements Under the DSA

Following the notification of the designations, the three services have **four months** (until the end of December 2026) to comply with additional obligations.

### Systemic Risk Assessments

The enhanced DSA obligations require ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox to assess and mitigate systemic risks stemming from their services and algorithmic systems. The specific risk areas include:

- **Dissemination of illegal content**

- **Negative effects on minors**

- **Users' physical and mental well-being**

- **Fundamental rights**

- **Electoral processes**

- **Public security**

The designations give the Commission enhanced investigative powers to assess platform functionalities and systems. Compliance will be supervised by the Commission in cooperation with Ireland's Coimisiún na Meán for ChatGPT and Reddit, and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets for Roblox.

## What This Means for ChatGPT's Users

For millions of EU users, the enhanced oversight could translate to changes in how ChatGPT responds to queries and handles content. The new rules could potentially affect:

- **Content moderation systems** to address illegal content risks

- **Age verification measures** to protect minors

- **Algorithmic transparency** to identify systemic risks

- **Advertising and targeting systems** to prevent misuse affecting electoral processes

## Enforcement and Penalties

The designations add to a growing list of 28 very large online platforms and search engines under the DSA. Companies found in breach of the law face heavy penalties, including fines of up to 6% of their annual global turnover and, in cases of serious and repeated violations, a possible ban on operating in Europe.

The EU has already hit three firms with penalties under the law: shopping giants Temu and AliExpress, and Elon Musk's social media platform X, which received a €120 million fine for transparency and other violations.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. What exactly is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?

The DSA is an EU law that sets out rules for online platforms and search engines. It requires them to take responsibility for illegal and harmful content on their services and to be more transparent about how their algorithms work.

### 2. Why has ChatGPT been classified as a "Very Large Online Search Engine"?

The EU Commission considers ChatGPT a search engine because it can search the web and respond to user queries. This is a notable classification for an AI chatbot.

### 3. What new obligations does ChatGPT now face under the DSA?

ChatGPT must assess and mitigate systemic risks related to illegal content, minors' well-being, fundamental rights, electoral processes, and public security, and it must comply with stricter transparency requirements.

### 4. What happens if ChatGPT doesn't comply with the new rules?

It could face fines of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. In cases of serious and repeated violations, it could be banned from operating in the EU.

### 5. Why was a deadline set for compliance?

The services have until the end of December 2026 to comply, which is four months from the August 31 announcement. This is standard procedure under the DSA, granting the companies a set period to fulfill the obligations.

### 6. How does this differ from the EU's AI Act?

The AI Act governs the safety and ethics of AI systems themselves, while the DSA focuses on the responsibilities of platforms that host or disseminate content. The DSA designation widens the scope of obligations for ChatGPT.

### 7. What was the public reaction to the decision?

The decision has been met with support from digital rights advocates and caution from tech industry groups. EU Commissioner Virkkunen stated the designations reflect the "large impact" of these services on citizens and society.

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## Disclaimer

*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The information provided is based on publicly available sources and official press releases as of September 2026. For legal guidance on the EU Digital Services Act or compliance requirements, please consult a qualified legal professional.*