ChatGPT will soon face the European Union's toughest online safety rules after being designated a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act, requiring OpenAI to mitigate a range of risks.
Key facts
- ChatGPT is now considered a Very Large Online Search Engine under the EU's Digital Services Act.
- OpenAI will be held accountable for mitigating risks related to ChatGPT's impact on minors.
- The obligations also cover user mental health and the spread of illegal content.
- Reddit also now faces the EU's toughest online safety rules, according to Ars Technica.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is set to face stricter oversight in the European Union after being classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), according to The Verge. The designation brings the popular AI chatbot within the scope of some of the EU’s most demanding online safety rules.
Under the classification, OpenAI will soon be held accountable for mitigating risks related to ChatGPT’s impact on minors, user mental health, and the spread of illegal content in the European Union, The Verge reported. The Digital Services Act is a set of laws regulating major online services operating in the bloc.
ChatGPT is not the only service affected. According to Ars Technica, Reddit now also faces the EU’s toughest online safety rules, reflecting a broader push by regulators to bring large online platforms under closer supervision.
Ars Technica noted that the explosive growth of these services comes with a new regulatory burden in the European Union, underscoring how rapid expansion has drawn the attention of EU authorities responsible for enforcing the DSA.
The move places ChatGPT alongside other major online services that must comply with heightened requirements aimed at reducing harms to users. The specific focus on minors, mental health and illegal content signals the areas where EU regulators expect the most robust safeguards.
The reclassification marks a significant shift for OpenAI, which will need to align ChatGPT’s operations with the DSA’s obligations for the largest online platforms and search engines active in the European market.
Why it matters
The EU's Digital Services Act sets some of the world's strictest rules for major online platforms, and bringing ChatGPT under its scope could shape how AI tools handle risks to minors, mental health and illegal content. For millions of European users, it signals tighter safeguards and greater accountability from AI providers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is ChatGPT facing tougher EU regulation?
According to The Verge, ChatGPT is now considered a Very Large Online Search Engine under the EU's Digital Services Act, which subjects it to stricter online safety rules.
What risks must OpenAI address under the new rules?
The Verge reports that OpenAI will be held accountable for mitigating risks related to ChatGPT's impact on minors, user mental health, and the spread of illegal content in the European Union.
Are other services affected by the EU's rules?
Yes. According to Ars Technica, Reddit now also faces the EU's toughest online safety rules.