EU designates Reddit, Roblox as very large platforms, ChatGPT as search engine

August 31, 2026 at 03:12 PM1 min

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The European Commission designated Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms and ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act. The three services now face the EU's strictest online safety regime, including obligations on user safety, transparency, and illegal content. They have four months to comply.

Key Facts

Reddit and Roblox were designated Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the EU Digital Services Act.
ChatGPT was designated a Very Large Online Search Engine, a first for an AI chatbot.
The companies have four months to comply with the new obligations.
Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said the designations reflect the services' large-scale impact on EU citizens and society.

Designation Details

The European Commission announced the designations on August 31, 2026. Reddit and Roblox were classified as Very Large Online Platforms because they allow users to publicly create and distribute content. ChatGPT was classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine because it interacts with users, answers queries, and searches the internet in real time. The Commission described ChatGPT as a hybrid service that falls under the DSA's definition of an online search engine.

Regulatory Obligations

The designations impose strict obligations to protect user safety, ensure transparency, and curb illegal content in the EU. The three services now face the EU's strictest online safety regime. The companies have four months to bring their operations into compliance. Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stated that the new definitions mean ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will undergo stricter scrutiny and bear increased responsibility in the European Union.