ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox Are Subject to the EU’s Strictest Rules: What Will Change for Users
1 September 04:52
The European Commission has designated the ChatGPT chatbot as a very large online search engine (VLOSE), and has classified Reddit and Roblox as very large online platforms (VLOP) in accordance with the requirements of the European Digital Services Act (DSA).
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a statement from the European Commission.
The basis for assigning this new status was that each of these three services exceeded the threshold set by law: the audience for each of them in European Union countries reached at least 45 million users per month.The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a very large online search engine (VLOSE), and Reddit and Roblox as very large online platforms (VLOP).
According to official data from the European Commission, the average monthly audience for these services in the EU is as follows:
- ChatGPT — 159.1 million users;
- Reddit — 57.2 million;
- Roblox — 46.6 million.
When will the new requirements take effect?
After receiving notification of their designation, companies have four months to comply with the additional obligations under the DSA.
The European Commission notes that ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox must bring their operations into compliance with the stricter rules no later than January 2027.
Therefore, information circulating in some Ukrainian publications about the transition period ending in late November 2026 does not align with the European Commission’s current announcement.
The mere assignment of VLOP or VLOSE status does not mean that the regulator has already established that the companies have committed violations. This is a legal classification of services based on the size of their European audience and their potential impact on society.
What ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox Must Do
Under the rules for the largest platforms and search engines, companies must regularly identify, assess, and mitigate systemic risks.
This refers, in particular, to risks related to:
- the dissemination of illegal content;
- violations of freedom of speech and other fundamental rights;
- discrimination against users;
- consumer protection;
- the safety of children and adolescents;
- negative impact on mental and physical health;
- gender-based violence;
- electoral processes;
- public safety;
- the functioning of algorithms and recommendation systems.
Once risks have been identified, platforms must implement measures to mitigate them. This may involve changing algorithms, service design, moderation rules, or content recommendation methods.
Why ChatGPT Was Classified as a Search Engine
ChatGPT has been granted VLOSE status—a very large online search engine. In the European Commission’s official list, OpenAI Ireland Limited is listed as the service provider in the EU.
This status stems from the fact that users can use ChatGPT not only to generate text or interact with artificial intelligence, but also to search for and synthesize information.
For OpenAI, this means it must assess the risks associated with AI responses, information retrieval, and the operation of algorithmic systems.
In particular, the company must take into account the potential dissemination of:
- false or manipulative messages;
- illegal content;
- information capable of influencing elections;
- material harmful to minors;
- discriminatory or biased responses.
This does not mean that the EU will review every ChatGPT response or pre-approve the generated results.
What requirements will apply to Reddit
Reddit has been designated a very large online platform. Regulators’ primary focus may be on the moderation of user-generated content, how recommendations work, and the dissemination of illegal material.
Reddit will need to demonstrate how the company:
- detects and restricts illegal content;
- protects users’ freedom of speech;
- explains decisions to remove posts;
- assesses the impact of recommendation algorithms;
- counteracts election manipulation;
- protects minors.
The company must also establish an internal compliance office to ensure adherence to the DSA and undergo an independent audit at least once a year.
Why Roblox Will Be Under Particular Scrutiny
Roblox only slightly exceeded the DSA threshold: its reported monthly audience in the EU is 46.6 million users.
Given the service’s popularity among children, the protection of minors will be one of the main focuses of the review.
Roblox will have to assess the risks associated with:
- harmful interactions between users;
- children’s access to inappropriate content;
- potential manipulation and fraud;
- in-app purchases;
- advertising mechanisms;
- the service’s impact on children’s mental and physical health.
The company itself will determine the specific changes to the platform’s operations, but the European Commission will be able to assess whether they are sufficient.
Audits, advertising transparency, and researcher access
The strengthened DSA rules are not limited to content moderation. ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox must also:
- establish an independent internal compliance function;
- undergo an external audit at least once a year;
- provide the European Commission and national regulators with the necessary data;
- ensure that verified researchers have access to information to study systemic risks;
- explain the principles behind their recommendations;
- offer an alternative set of recommendations not based on user profiling, if the service uses such systems;
- maintain a publicly accessible archive of advertisements;
- transparently communicate decisions regarding content moderation.
The European Commission will become the primary body responsible for overseeing the three services’ compliance with these additional requirements.
