Observed Signal · Aug 31, 2026 · Regulation · Source: t3n · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Negative
EU tightens DSA rules for ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox
The European Commission has designated ChatGPT (OpenAI), Reddit and Roblox as subject to stricter obligations under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) after each exceeded the threshold of 45 million average monthly users. The three services have four months to adapt to the new requirements, which expand obligations on child protection, illegal content removal and transparency. ChatGPT is already covered by the EU AI Act and is additionally classified under the DSA as a very large online search engine. The DSA has been in force since February 2024; Brussels has previously opened procedures against platforms such as TikTok, Meta properties and Snapchat and imposed multi-million euro fines on services including X, Temu and AliExpress.
The European Commission's DSA designations expand regulatory obligations for major social, gaming and AI/chat services operating in the EU, affecting content moderation, child protection and transparency requirements that materially impact platform operations and compliance across the digital advertising and platform ecosystem.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The European Commission designated OpenAI's ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox as subject to enhanced DSA obligations after each exceeded 45 million monthly users.
- Designated services have four months to comply with the additional DSA requirements.
- ChatGPT is already regulated under the EU AI Act and is now also classified as a very large online search engine under the DSA.
- The DSA has been in force since February 2024 and Brussels has opened numerous procedures and levied multi-million euro fines against other platforms (e.g., X, Temu, AliExpress).
Connected Companies & Entities
11 Entities mapped“Reddit has exceeded the threshold of 45 million average monthly users and is therefore now regarded by the EU as a very large online platfor...”
“Roblox has exceeded the threshold of 45 million average monthly users and is therefore now regarded by the EU as a very large online platfor...”
“For ChatGPT from the company OpenAI the EU AI Act already applies; ChatGPT is now also classified as a very large online search engine under...”
“The Brussels internet watchdog has already opened multiple procedures under the DSA against services such as Facebook and Instagram....”
“The Brussels internet watchdog has already opened multiple procedures under the DSA against services such as TikTok....”
“The Brussels internet watchdog has already opened multiple procedures under the DSA against services such as Snapchat....”
“The EU Commission previously imposed multi-million-euro fines against the online retailer Temu....”
“The EU Commission previously imposed multi-million-euro fines against AliExpress....”
“Image credit in the article notes Shutterstock/Ascannio....”
“The article cites dpa as the source of the report....”
“Roblox has exceeded the threshold of 45 million average monthly users and is therefore now regarded by the EU as a very large online platfor...”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
EU designates ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox as very large services
The European Commission has designated OpenAI's ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) and Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), as each exceeds 45 million monthly average EU users. This brings the total designated services to 28. These platforms have until January 2027 to comply with stringent obligations, including systemic risk assessments addressing illegal content, public safety, minors' wellbeing, and electoral integrity, as well as independent audits, transparency for ads and recommendation systems, and researcher data access. The rules also restrict profiling-based ads for minors, impacting ad-reliant business models like Reddit and ChatGPT's ad-testing. This marks the first time an AI assistant is regulated like a search engine, setting a precedent. Non-compliance can incur fines up to 6% of global annual turnover. Supervision is coordinated with Ireland's Coimisiún na Meán for ChatGPT and the Netherlands' Authority for Consumers and Markets for Reddit and Roblox.
EU May Classify ChatGPT as Search Engine
A German analysis argues the EU could classify ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Article 76 of the DSA applies to platforms with more than 45 million active users in the EU; OpenAI says ChatGPT has about 120 million EU users, which would meet the threshold. A VLOSE designation would force OpenAI to disclose advertising practices, submit to independent audits, give researchers access to data, remove illegal content, and limit profiling-based recommendations. The article says such a ruling would be damaging for OpenAI’s business but could benefit European and more transparent AI challengers (e.g., Mistral), and could also affect other products like Microsoft Copilot and Anthropic’s Claude.
OpenAI Pilots Brand Suitability Controls with DoubleVerify and IAS
OpenAI announced during Advertising Week New York that it is piloting brand suitability controls with DoubleVerify (DV) and Integral Ad Science (IAS). The two verification firms will independently assess how OpenAI applies its brand safety standards in a controlled testing environment, without accessing private user conversations. This move aims to provide advertisers with greater transparency and follows a trend of platforms seeking third-party verification to build trust with buyers. ChatGPT reportedly reaches 1.2 billion users weekly. OpenAI is also testing a larger, image-led ad format and expanding its measurement partners.
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