The European Commission has designated OpenAI's ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox as "very large online platforms" under the EU's Digital Services Act, subjecting them to the bloc's toughest online safety obligations, including removing illegal content and protecting children's privacy and safety. The move, announced on Monday, marks a significant expansion of the DSA's reach into generative AI, following an existing investigation into X's Grok chatbot, and reflects Brussels' efforts to apply established digital rules to fast-growing AI services.

The three platforms were designated after each surpassed 45 million monthly users in the EU, the threshold that triggers enhanced scrutiny, and have until the end of December to comply or risk fines of up to 6% of global revenue. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said the companies would now face greater accountability given their societal impact; OpenAI said it was preparing to meet the requirements, and Roblox welcomed the milestone. The designation comes amid friction with Washington, which accuses Brussels of unfairly targeting US firms, though the Commission maintains its rules apply regardless of a company's origin — a stance reinforced by July's €550 million DSA fine against China's AliExpress.