EU designates ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as major platforms under strict regulation

On August 31, 2026, the European Commission announced that ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox have been classified as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) or, in the case of ChatGPT, a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE). This designation follows the entities reporting over 45 million monthly active users within the European Union, the mandatory threshold set by the Digital Services Act (DSA).

As a result of this classification, the companies are now subject to the EU's most rigorous oversight framework. This is a significant milestone, as ChatGPT becomes the first artificial intelligence service to be included under these regulations. The platforms must now assess and mitigate systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content, potential harms to minors, impacts on mental health, threats to fundamental rights, and risks to electoral processes or public safety.

The companies have been granted a four-month period to ensure full compliance, with a final deadline set for the end of November 2026. This move grants the European Commission expanded investigative powers to monitor their operations and algorithmic functions to ensure user safety across the European digital market.