OpenAI's ChatGPT now faces stricter EU rules as it's designated a "Very Large" platform

The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a "Very Large Online Platform" under its Digital Services Act, a move that will subject OpenAI to significantly stricter oversight and compliance requirements across the EU.

What the designation means#

The reclassification places ChatGPT alongside Reddit and Roblox as platforms large enough to warrant heightened regulatory scrutiny. Platforms earn this designation once they cross the 45 million average monthly user threshold within the EU. The three companies now face a raft of new obligations designed to protect vulnerable users and prevent harm.

Under the DSA framework, these platforms must prohibit targeted advertising to minors and cannot use personal characteristics—such as sexual orientation, religious affiliation, ethnicity, or political leanings—to direct ads or content. Operators must also demonstrate transparency in how their recommendation algorithms operate and explain the reasoning behind content rankings and suggestions.

Timeline for compliance#

ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox have until the end of December 2026 to bring their systems into full compliance with these rules. The extended deadline gives companies time to audit their operations and implement necessary changes.

Why it matters#

According to EU executive vice-president Henna Virkkunen, the move reflects the platforms' outsized influence on European citizens. "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," she said in announcing the decision.

The designation also signals the EU's determination to manage risks tied to AI systems, particularly around child safety, mental health effects, and the circulation of unlawful material.