ChatGPT and Roblox face the EU’s highest level of oversight

The European Union has brought ChatGPT and Roblox under its most demanding internet regulations, extending the Digital Services Act’s reach to an AI chatbot and a video-game platform for the first time.

The European Commission designated ChatGPT as a “very large online search engine” and classified Reddit and Roblox as “very large online platforms.” All three exceeded the threshold of 45 million monthly users in the EU. The companies reported average monthly figures of 159.1 million for ChatGPT, 57.2 million for Reddit and 48 million for Roblox.

The classification requires the services to assess and reduce systemic risks linked to their algorithms every year. They must also undergo independent audits, provide access to researchers approved by the Commission and activate crisis-response mechanisms. The risks covered by the law include illegal content, threats to fundamental rights, effects on civic discourse and elections, public safety, gender-based violence, public health, child protection and physical and mental wellbeing.

The platforms also remain subject to rules that apply across the online sector. These include internal complaint and dispute-resolution systems, priority handling for trusted flaggers, greater advertising transparency and user controls over recommendation systems. The DSA bans advertising targeted at minors or based on sensitive data, as well as deceptive interface designs known as dark patterns.

The move could set a precedent for other services. Chatbots such as Gemini and Copilot, and user-generated-content games such as Fortnite and Minecraft, could face the same treatment if they cross the threshold. The EU has already opened more than a dozen formal investigations under the law, with penalties exceeding 870 million euros, including fines against AliExpress, Temu and X. Proceedings remain open against Meta, TikTok and Shein.