ChatGPT must now comply with the European Union’s strictest online safety rules or risk significant fines, the European Commission announced on Monday. The decision reflects how Brussels is working to apply its existing digital regulations to rapidly evolving AI services.
The Commission confirmed that OpenAI’s chatbot, social media forum Reddit, and gaming platform Roblox will be classified as very large online platforms under the EU Digital Services Act, the bloc’s landmark online safety framework. The designation subjects all three services to additional obligations, including removing illegal content and protecting the privacy and security of minors.
What the New Classification Requires
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), the three platforms face heightened scrutiny and accountability. Companies that fail to meet the requirements could face fines of up to 6 percent of their global revenue. The move marks a further expansion of the DSA into generative AI, with X’s Grok chatbot already under investigation through the law.
The classification followed each service surpassing 45 million monthly users in the EU, the threshold that triggers enhanced scrutiny. The platforms now have until the end of December to comply with the additional obligations.
“ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox will now be held to a higher standard of scrutiny and accountability in the European Union, in line with their large impact on our citizens and society,” said EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.
How the Companies Responded
An OpenAI spokesperson said the company was preparing to meet the additional compliance requirements. Roblox said it was “proud to be the first gaming platform to reach this milestone in the EU” and added that “safety is foundational to everything we do and we look forward to continuing our constructive engagement with the European Commission.” Reddit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The EU is also beginning to enforce its AI Act, the world’s first regime regulating the development of the technology. Under its competition rules, the bloc has opened an investigation into AI services, including whether Google breached EU competition rules through its use of AI overviews.
Pressure From Washington
The expanded DSA enforcement comes as Brussels faces pressure from Washington over its regulation of US tech companies, including fines against firms such as Elon Musk’s X. Washington argues the EU is unfairly targeting US groups and infringing on free speech principles.
The Commission maintains that its digital laws apply to companies regardless of location. In July, Chinese online marketplace AliExpress was fined €550 million under the DSA for failing to do enough to prevent the sale of illegal products on its platform.
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Image: arstechnica.com
