The EU just classified Reddit and ChatGPT as “very large” services under the Digital Services Act
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The European Commission has officially classified Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), and ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE). These designations were made under the Digital Services Act, as announced by the European Commission on August 31, 2026. This classification impacts how these services will be regulated within the EU.
The European Commission announced today that Reddit and Roblox have officially been designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), while ChatGPT has been designated as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE).
To qualify, a service has to reach at least 45 million average monthly users in the EU.
This isn't just a label. The designation brings additional obligations under the Digital Services Act. The companies will have to assess and mitigate systemic risks linked to things like:
• illegal content
• risks to minors
• users' physical and mental well-being
• fundamental rights
• electoral processes
• public security
What's especially interesting is ChatGPT being treated as an online search engine under the DSA. It shows how quickly AI assistants are moving from being seen as experimental tools to infrastructure used at a scale comparable to some of the biggest online services.
Reddit being designated while we're discussing it on Reddit is also kind of interesting.
They now have four months to comply with the additional requirements.
Source: European Commission, August 31, 2026 / Reuters