The European Commission has classified ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as 'Very Large' services, requiring them to comply with the European Union's most rigorous Digital Services Act regulations by the end of 2026. These platforms must now implement stricter controls regarding illegal content, minor protection, and algorithmic transparency.
Expanded Oversight and Regulatory Action
The European Commission has officially updated its list of regulated services under the Digital Services Act (DSA), bringing the total count of 'Very Large' online entities to 28. In a move to bolster digital safety, ChatGPT has been categorized as a 'Very Large Online Search Engine,' while Reddit and Roblox have been designated as 'Very Large Online Platforms.' These classifications are triggered automatically once a service reaches a minimum of 45 million monthly active users within the European Union. This regulatory update places these companies under the most stringent tier of EU oversight, subjecting their internal operations to significantly higher levels of scrutiny regarding how they manage societal risks.
New Compliance Requirements
Operating as a designated 'Very Large' service brings a host of mandatory operational changes. These companies are now required to provide greater transparency into the inner workings of their recommendation algorithms. Furthermore, the DSA places specific prohibitions on these entities regarding targeted advertising practices, particularly those involving minors or the processing of sensitive personal categories such as political beliefs, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Beyond algorithmic transparency, the Commission will enforce closer supervision. This includes requirements for firms to share proprietary data with regulatory authorities, undergo annual independent audits, and grant approved researchers access to platform data to better analyze potential systemic risks.
Core Areas of Concern
The primary impetus for these stricter rules is to mitigate the potential for real-world harm stemming from digital platforms. The European Commission has highlighted several critical areas of concern that these three platforms must now proactively address: the dissemination of illegal content, the protection of minors, the integrity of electoral processes, and the broader impact on user mental health. Henna Virkkunen, the EU executive vice-president for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, emphasized that these designations are necessary because of the profound impact these platforms hold over the daily lives of EU citizens and the broader functioning of society, demanding a higher standard of accountability.
Broader Industry Context
This regulatory shift represents a continuing trend of the European Union tightening its grip on major tech infrastructure. By adding ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox to this high-scrutiny list, the Commission is extending the same regulatory philosophy that has already been applied to major social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This consistent application of the law across different types of services—whether they are generative AI, social forums, or gaming platforms—shows that the EU intends to regulate based on user reach and potential influence rather than just traditional industry categories. The move signals a maturation of the DSA's enforcement phase, moving beyond the largest social networks to capture a wider range of influential digital ecosystems.
⚖ The Balanced View
Supporting view
EU officials believe the 'Very Large' designation is essential to align the accountability of these powerful platforms with their massive influence on citizens and democratic society.
Concerns & criticism
The platforms involved face significant operational challenges, as they must overhaul their algorithmic transparency and data-sharing protocols to meet the compliance deadline.
→What's next
The three affected companies have until the end of December 2026 to bring their systems into full compliance with the Digital Services Act. In the interim, authorities are expected to maintain communication with the platforms to oversee the implementation of these new safety and transparency measures.
