ChatGPT and Roblox Set to Face EU's Strictest Platform Rules Under Digital Services Act

European Commission Targets ChatGPT and Roblox Under Digital Services Act

The European Commission is preparing to designate ChatGPT and Roblox under the Digital Services Act's most stringent regulatory category, potentially as early as August 2025. According to Bloomberg, ChatGPT's search function would be classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine, while Roblox would become a Very Large Online Platform 1

1

3

3

. This designation applies to services exceeding 45 million monthly users in the EU, and ChatGPT crossed 120 million monthly users in Europe last year 4

4

. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier told Reuters the designation was "definitely possible" and could "come sooner or later," though the exact timing remains uncertain 1

1

.

This move would make ChatGPT the first generative AI product brought into the DSA's top tier, signaling that Brussels views AI-driven platforms as services requiring active regulatory scrutiny rather than tools to be exempted from oversight 3

3

5

5

. OpenAI stated it continues to engage positively with Brussels, while Roblox declined to comment on the reported designation 3

3

.

What the EU DSA Rules Demand from Designated Platforms

Once formally designated, both companies would have four months to comply with extensive obligations under the strictest content moderation rules. These requirements include clearer terms and conditions, greater transparency around advertising, recommendation systems, and content moderation decisions, and a mandatory requirement to report suspected criminal offenses 1

1

. The platforms must also identify systemic risk involving illegal content, children's rights, public security, elections, discrimination, gender-based violence, and users' mental and physical wellbeing 1

1

.

Additional obligations include conducting annual independent audits, establishing internal compliance teams, sharing data with regulators, and allowing vetted researchers to examine platform data 1

1

5

5

. Users must also be offered a recommendation system not based on profiling, giving them control over personalized content 5

5

. Companies failing to comply face non-compliance fines of up to 6% of their worldwide annual revenue 1

1

.

Why Roblox and OpenAI Are Under Regulatory Scrutiny

Roblox's inclusion appears inevitable given its troubled history with child safety. The platform faces lawsuits from Texas, Louisiana, and Los Angeles County alleging that weak safeguards allowed predators to target children 1

1

5

5

. The company has responded with selfie-based age verification, age-separated chat, and an open-source AI system designed to detect signs of child exploitation, but legal pressure continues 1

1

. The Digital Services Act's core aim centers on protecting children online, making Roblox an obvious target for Very Large Online Platforms designation 3

3

.

OpenAI faces its own growing list of safety controversies. The company confronts wrongful death lawsuits from families alleging that ChatGPT contributed to suicides and other real-world harm 1

1

5

5

. Florida recently sued the company and Sam Altman over claims that ChatGPT can encourage dangerous behavior 1

1

. These cases highlight concerns about user safety and adequate safeguards for vulnerable users in crisis .

The DSA's Track Record and What It Means for Tech Giants

The designation adds ChatGPT and Roblox to a list of around two dozen platforms already carrying the DSA's heaviest obligations, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X, Amazon, and WhatsApp 1

1

5

5

. Since the DSA's enforcement in early 2024, the European Commission has launched numerous probes resulting in penalties on X, Temu, and AliExpress collectively amounting to nearly €900 million 4

4

. X was fined €120 million ($137 million) for violations involving deceptive verification, ad transparency, and researcher access 1

1

.

However, the DSA designation doesn't guarantee sweeping changes. Few would argue that X has transformed into a model of online safety despite its fine 1

1

. The Trump administration has called the DSA a form of "economic extortion" against American firms, while critics question why Europe regulates platforms it cannot build 3

3

. Yet forcing two of the internet's most scrutinized services to open their systems to auditors, explain their recommendation algorithms, and address known risks through mandatory content moderation appears preferable to accepting their assurances at face value 1

1

. The designation signals that tech companies must demonstrate accountability through transparency and measurable action, not just promises of self-regulation.