The European Union has brought ChatGPT under a tougher digital-safety regime, giving regulators greater powers to examine risks linked to the artificial intelligence service and its growing use across Europe.
The European Commission announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, that it had classified ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act. Reddit and Roblox were separately designated Very Large Online Platforms.
The designation followed declarations from the three services that they each reach at least 45 million average monthly users in the European Union. That figure is the threshold for the stricter category under the DSA.
ChatGPT’s classification is linked to its ability to search the internet and provide users with information in response to queries. The decision makes it subject to additional requirements covering the potential systemic risks created by its service and algorithmic systems.
Among the areas that must be assessed are the spread of illegal material, possible effects on children and users’ physical and mental wellbeing, fundamental rights, electoral processes and public security. The rules require designated services to take steps to assess and mitigate those risks.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said the new designations reflected the influence of the services on European users and society.
“ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox will now be held to a higher standard of scrutiny and accountability in the European Union.”
The Commission said the affected services have four months from notification of the designations to meet the additional DSA obligations, setting the deadline at the end of November 2026.
The new requirements are separate from the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act, another major piece of legislation governing artificial intelligence. The AI Act entered a further enforcement phase on August 2, 2026, including rules concerning prohibited AI practices and transparency requirements for certain AI-generated content and systems.
The DSA designation also brings ChatGPT into a regulatory framework designed for the largest digital services operating in Europe. The rules require greater attention to systemic risks rather than focusing only on individual pieces of content or isolated complaints.
For OpenAI, the decision adds another layer of European regulatory obligations at a time when governments are increasing scrutiny of powerful AI systems. ChatGPT’s inclusion alongside major online platforms shows how EU authorities are applying existing digital-safety rules to newer forms of technology as their reach expands.
The Commission said it would continue monitoring the digital environment and could designate additional services that meet the required threshold. The immediate task for ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox is therefore to meet the enhanced obligations before the November deadline.
