EU subjects ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox to strictest digital rules

The European Commission has designated ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under the European Union’s strictest digital safety rules, requiring the services to comply with enhanced obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

The Commission classified ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine, while Reddit and Roblox were designated Very Large Online Platforms. The move gives all three services four months, until the end of November, to comply with the rules.

The Commission said ChatGPT qualified as a search engine because its service can respond to user queries and search the web for information, Euronews reports.

“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,” Henna Virkkunen, the Commission’s executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy, said.

Under the DSA, services with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU can be classified as Very Large Online Platforms or Very Large Online Search Engines.

OpenAI said ChatGPT’s search function averaged about 159 million monthly active users in the EU during the six months to March 2026. Reddit reported 57.2 million users and Roblox about 48 million.

The new obligations include annual assessments of systemic risks involving illegal content, the protection of minors, users’ mental and physical wellbeing, fundamental rights, electoral processes and public security.

The companies will also have to undergo independent audits and provide data to regulators and approved researchers.

The Commission will oversee ChatGPT and Reddit with Ireland’s Coimisiún na Meán, while the Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets will supervise Roblox.

The designations bring the total number of services subject to the DSA’s strictest tier to 28.

Companies that fail to comply can face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.

By Aghakazim Guliyev