The European Commission has officially designated three of the world's largest digital services under stricter Digital Services Act (DSA) regulation: ChatGPT has been classified as a very large online search engine (VLOSE), while Reddit and Roblox receive the status of very large online platforms (VLOPs). This marks a concrete moment in European regulatory reality – no longer just laws on paper, but binding compliance deadlines for corporations reaching millions of European users.
The essentials
- ChatGPT counts 159 million monthly active users in the EU and will be regulated as a search engine
- Reddit reports 57.2 million, Roblox 46.6 million monthly users – threshold is 45 million
- Compliance deadline: 31 December 2026 for all three services
- Roblox must submit a child protection plan within four months
Why the threshold matters
The classification is based on a straightforward but powerful rule: any service reaching more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU is deemed systemically important and subject to strict VLOP/VLOSE requirements. ChatGPT far exceeds this threshold – with 159 million users, OpenAI's AI application is many times over the limit. Reddit and Roblox are just above it. This classification is not merely academic: it obligates companies to conduct regular risk assessments, allow independent external audits, and implement comprehensive measures to protect fundamental rights and minors.
| Service | EU Users | Category | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 159M | VLOSE | 31.12.2026 |
| 57.2M | VLOP | 31.12.2026 | |
| Roblox | 46.6M | VLOP | 31.12.2026 |
Roblox under particular pressure
The gaming platform Roblox faces especially strict requirements – it is the first pure gaming platform to be classified as a VLOP. Within four months of designation, Roblox must submit detailed plans for risk mitigation and child protection. This sends a clear message: companies with young users face intensified EU scrutiny.
What happens if they don't comply?
The classification is not merely an administrative formality. The Digital Services Act provides for substantial penalties. For OpenAI, Reddit, and Roblox, this means: non-compliance is expensive. Companies must demonstrate by the end of 2026 that they have designed their services to prevent the spread of illegal content, protect public safety, and safeguard fundamental rights.
What this means for German companies
This European Commission decision signals to all platforms, marketplaces, and AI providers: scale attracts regulation. German companies operating across Europe and reaching similar user numbers should assess whether they already fall under DSA requirements or soon will. The deadline to the end of 2026 is tight – companies that don't start documenting risk assessments and building audit processes now will face mounting pressure. At the same time, the classification of ChatGPT as a search engine shows that the EU does not treat AI systems as an entirely new category, but rather integrates them into existing regulatory frameworks – a precedent likely to affect other AI applications.
Sources
Editorially owned by Ideal Syka. Sources and method: Newsroom & method. Tips and corrections: ai@i6eal.de.
