The European Union has designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine under its Digital Services Act, subjecting the AI chatbot to stringent new accountability requirements aimed at protecting users and society from harmful content and practices.
- ChatGPT classified as Very Large Online Search Engine under EU DSA
- New rules address minors, mental health, and illegal content risks
- Compliance deadline set for December 2026
What happened
The European Commission has officially classified OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulatory framework designed to govern major internet platforms operating across the EU. This classification brings ChatGPT under a stricter set of obligations to mitigate specific risks associated with large-scale online services.
In addition to ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox were also designated as Very Large Online Platforms, meaning all three must comply with new transparency and accountability requirements. The DSA defines Very Large Online Platforms as those with more than 45 million active monthly users within the EU, highlighting the scale of these services’ impact on the region.
Why it matters
This move imposes significant new responsibilities on OpenAI as well as the other designated platforms to address the potential harmful effects of their services. Risks related to the wellbeing of minors, mental health issues triggered by content or recommendations, and the dissemination of illegal material must now be actively mitigated under regulatory oversight.
The DSA also restricts targeted advertising practices and enforces greater transparency around algorithmic recommendations. This means ChatGPT and its peers must be more open about how content and suggestions are curated, aiming to protect user privacy and limit manipulative or discriminatory practices based on sensitive personal data like religious beliefs or political opinions.
What to watch next
ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox have until the end of December 2026 to fully comply with the new regulations. How OpenAI and the others implement policy changes and technical safeguards to meet the DSA’s standards will be closely monitored by EU authorities and industry observers.
The imposition of these rules could set precedents for regulatory approaches worldwide concerning AI-driven platforms and user protections. Stakeholders should watch for detailed compliance frameworks, enforcement actions, and potential adaptations in platform offerings or content moderation strategies driven by the new legal environment.