The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a “very large online search engine,” while identifying Reddit and Roblox as “very large online platforms,” under the regulations of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Brussels authority announced on Monday that these services met the required threshold after confirming that they reach at least 45 million average monthly users within the EU.
Following these designations, the services have four months to comply with the additional obligations mandated by the DSA. These obligations include assessing and mitigating systemic risks stemming from their services and algorithmic systems. Such risks relate to the spread of illegal content, negative impacts on minors, the physical and mental well-being of users, fundamental rights, electoral processes, and public safety.
The Commission will supervise compliance with the Act in collaboration with Coimisiún na Meán for ChatGPT and Reddit, and the Authority for Consumer and Market (ACM) for Roblox. These bodies serve as the coordinators for digital services in Ireland and the Netherlands, respectively, where the designated services are headquartered.
“These new designations mean that ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will now be subject to a higher degree of control and accountability within the European Union, commensurate with their significant impact on our citizens and society,” stated Vice-President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen. She added, “We continue to monitor the digital landscape closely and will not hesitate to designate a platform that meets the threshold for enhanced supervision under the Digital Services Act.”
