The European Commission has officially designated OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The classification applies to platforms reaching over 45 million average monthly users in the EU, placing ChatGPT in the same regulatory category as newly designated Very Large Online Platforms Reddit and Roblox.
Under the DSA, OpenAI will face heightened legal accountability for mitigating risks related to minor safety, user mental health, and the dissemination of illegal content within the EU. The framework imposes restrictions on targeted advertising based on protected characteristics—including sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and political beliefs—and mandates greater public transparency regarding recommendation algorithms.
OpenAI has been given until the end of December 2026 to fully adapt ChatGPT to meet these regulatory standards. EU Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen stated that the designations will subject all three platforms to higher standards of scrutiny and accountability across member states.
Why it matters
OpenAI faces significantly higher legal compliance costs and transparency requirements to operate ChatGPT within the European Union.
Consumer AI platforms crossing 45M EU monthly active users will trigger strict algorithmic transparency and data targeting bans.
Companies have until December 2026 to implement major architectural changes for content moderation and algorithmic disclosures.
Source: theverge.com
