The European Commission has officially recognized OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act, a decision made after the chatbot reported reaching over 45 million average monthly users within the European Union. This milestone, achieved by approximately one in ten EU residents, necessitates enhanced regulatory oversight.
New Classifications and Implications
In the same announcement, the Commission also classified Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms. This brings the total count of such designated platforms and search engines to 28. These new designations mean that ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox must now comply with more stringent regulations, despite already being subject to the DSA’s general rules.
The designation requires these platforms to assess and address systemic risks associated with their services and algorithms within four months, with a deadline of January 2027. These evaluations are intended to cover a range of issues, including illegal content, harm to minors, user well-being, fundamental rights, electoral processes, and public security.
Detailed Oversight and Compliance
The decision implies an additional layer of scrutiny, requiring annual independent audits and granting researcher access to data. This will allow vetted experts to gain a deeper understanding of how these systems function at a European level. The classification of ChatGPT as an online search engine is notable, as it is the first conversational AI to receive such a label, aligning it with established search engines.
This classification brings with it responsibilities such as ensuring ranking transparency, conducting independent audits, and providing data access for regulatory bodies and authorized researchers. For those monitoring AI-driven influence operations, this recognition signals that ChatGPT is now considered a critical component of search infrastructure.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Future Outlook
Reddit and Roblox received their designations due to their user-generated content distribution capabilities. Reddit hosts discussions organized by topics, while Roblox offers an immersive environment for gaming and creation, where users can publish and play games. Both platforms must now conduct additional risk assessments for their recommendation systems and user-generated content.
The oversight will be shared among national Digital Services Coordinators, with Ireland’s Coimisiún na Meán overseeing ChatGPT and Reddit, and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets managing Roblox. Non-compliance could result in fines as high as 6% of global annual revenue.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, emphasized the higher accountability standards these platforms will face due to their societal impact. She affirmed Brussels’ commitment to monitoring the digital landscape and designating any platform meeting the criteria.
With these developments, conversational AI with real-time search capabilities, extensive forums, and user-driven gaming ecosystems are now integral to Europe’s platform laws, with a compliance deadline set for January 2027.
