The Commission has officially designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE). At the same time, Reddit and Roblox have been recognised as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). These platforms have confirmed that they reach at least 45 million average monthly users within the European Union, thus meeting the criteria for this designation.
As a result of this notification, these platforms are required to comply with additional DSA obligations for VLOPs and VLOSEs within four months—by the end of December 2026. Key obligations include assessing and mitigating systemic risks associated with their services and algorithms, particularly regarding the dissemination of illegal content, potential negative effects on minors, implications for users’ physical and mental well-being, fundamental rights, electoral integrity, and public security.
With these designations, the Commission will obtain investigative powers to evaluate the functionalities of these services and any relevant systems. The Commission will supervise compliance with the DSA in collaboration with Coimisiún na Meán for ChatGPT and Reddit, and the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) for Roblox. These organisations serve as the Digital Services Coordinators for Ireland and the Netherlands, respectively, where the designated services are headquartered.
“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, in line with their large impact on our citizens and society. We continue to watch the digital landscape closely and will not hesitate to designate any platform that meets the threshold for enhanced supervision under the Digital Services Act,” highlighted Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence (AI) system that engages with users by responding to their prompts, including web searches. It qualifies as a hybrid service and an online search engine under the DSA. Reddit is a discussion platform that allows users to create and interact with content within specific communities. Roblox is an immersive gaming platform where users can develop, publish, and play games created by others.
All three services—ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox—enable users to share third-party content and are subject to the DSA’s obligations for online platforms and search engines.
The Commission has designated 28 major online platforms and search engines under the DSA. Enforcement and supervision of the DSA are shared between the Commission and Digital Services Coordinators in the Member States.
