- The European Commission designates ChatGPT as a very large search engine.
- Reddit and Roblox fall into the category of very large online platforms.
- The three services will have to comply with additional DSA obligations within four months.
- This is the first time an AI chatbot has been subject to this oversight regime.
The European Commission has decided to group ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox together. From now on, OpenAI's chatbot will be considered a very large online search engine , while the social network and the gaming platform will be classified as very large online platforms under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision, announced this Monday, stems from the fact that all three services exceed the threshold of 45 million monthly active users in the EU, a figure equivalent to approximately one in ten inhabitants of the bloc.
This is the first time an AI chatbot has fallen into this category, and for good reason. The Digital Services Act (DSA), in effect since 2022, is Brussels' main tool for regulating the digital world. With this designation, ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox now fall under the strictest supervisory regime in Europe, with obligations ranging from assessing systemic risks to undergoing independent audits. The measure not only affects these three companies but also sets a precedent for other similar services that may reach the same level of users.
What does this designation entail?
For ChatGPT, things are quite different. The Commission considers it a hybrid service that acts as a search engine because it can interact with user queries and respond by searching the web. This means it will have to comply with the same rules as other search engines like Google, but with one addition: being an AI system, it will also have to monitor the risks its algorithms may generate, such as the spread of illegal content or negative effects on users' mental health. Reddit and Roblox, on the other hand, are platforms that allow users to create and share content, so they fall into the category of online platforms.
The three companies now have four months to adapt to the new requirements , that is, until the end of November 2026. During this time, they will have to implement measures to mitigate systemic risks, provide access to external researchers, and activate crisis response mechanisms. Furthermore, the Commission will monitor their compliance in collaboration with the Irish regulator (Coimisiún na Meán) for ChatGPT and Reddit, and with the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for Roblox, as these are the countries where their European headquarters are located.
Impressive figures
The numbers behind this decision are compelling. According to data reported by the companies themselves, ChatGPT registered an average of 159,1 million monthly active users in the EU during the first half of 2026, while Reddit reached 57,2 million and Roblox 48 million. These figures not only surpass the 45 million threshold but also place these services among the most used on the continent. With these three additions, the list of platforms and search engines under the strictest DSA regulations now totals 28, including names like LinkedIn, Instagram, X, TikTok, Amazon, and Google.
But it's not all smooth sailing. The DSA has already shown it knows how to crack down. So far, the Commission has imposed fines totaling €870 million , with notable penalties such as €550 million for AliExpress, €200 million for Temu, and €120 million for X. And if these companies fail to comply with the new obligations, they risk paying up to 6% of their global annual revenue, an amount that in the case of OpenAI could be astronomical given its rapid revenue growth.
Reactions and context
The Commission's Executive Vice-President, Henna Virkkunen, has made it clear that they will not back down: “These new designations mean that ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will now be subject to a higher level of control and accountability in the European Union, commensurate with their significant impact on our citizens and our society.” She also warned that they will continue to monitor the digital landscape and will not hesitate to designate any platform that reaches the threshold.
Across the Atlantic, the Trump administration has already expressed its displeasure with the European regulatory offensive. They have labeled the DSA and DMA fines a “new form of economic extortion” and threatened retaliation against countries that target US tech companies. This tension could escalate now that three more US-owned services have fallen under direct Brussels supervision, but the Commission remains firm: its rules apply regardless of jurisdiction or company ownership.
Ultimately, this designation marks a turning point in the regulation of artificial intelligence in Europe. ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will have to demonstrate that they can operate safely and transparently, and they will do so under the watchful eye of European authorities. The coming months will be crucial to see how they adapt to these new rules and whether other platforms like Gemini, Copilot, or Fortnite follow suit.
