Overview
- The European Commission on Monday, 31 August 2026 formally designated ChatGPT as a “very large online search engine” under the Digital Services Act, the first time the DSA has been applied to a generative AI model.
- Under the designation OpenAI must carry out annual and feature‑triggered risk assessments that check threats to public dialogue, elections, minors and mental health and must provide data access to researchers and regulators to monitor systemic risks.
- The Commission also placed Reddit and Roblox in the DSA’s highest category as “very large online platforms,” bringing all three services under stricter rules for illegal content, child protection and content moderation.
- The companies have roughly four months to comply, with national supervisors coordinating enforcement — Ireland will lead oversight for ChatGPT and Reddit while the Netherlands will lead for Roblox — and breaches can draw fines up to 6% of global turnover.
- The move creates a regulatory precedent by adapting platform‑focused DSA powers to AI services and adds a second layer of obligations alongside the EU AI Act, which could change how large AI products handle transparency, data access and user protections.