EU Places ChatGPT, Reddit And Roblox Under Stricter Digital Rules

The European Commission has brought ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter obligations after each platform surpassed 45 million average monthly users in the EU. The platforms must assess and mitigate risks involving illegal content, child protection and users’ mental health under the Digital Services Act. ChatGPT becomes the first AI chatbot classified under the law’s Very Large Online Platform framework.

The European Commission has placed ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter digital regulations after the three platforms surpassed the European Union’s threshold of 45 million average monthly users.
The move means the platforms will face additional obligations under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), including requirements to assess and reduce risks linked to illegal content, the protection of children and potential harm to users’ mental health.
The DSA is the EU’s wide-ranging legislation designed to make online platforms more accountable for the content and services they provide.

CHATGPT BECOMES FIRST AI CHATBOT COVERED BY DSA

The designation makes ChatGPT the first AI chatbot to come under the DSA’s rules for Very Large Online Platforms.
The platform, operated by US-based OpenAI, is already subject to the European Union’s separate artificial intelligence regulations.
Under the new obligations, OpenAI will have to assess potential risks associated with ChatGPT’s large user base and take measures to address risks identified by EU authorities.
The development reflects growing European scrutiny of artificial intelligence platforms as millions of people increasingly use chatbots for information, education, work and everyday tasks.

REDDIT AND ROBLOX ALSO FACE NEW OBLIGATIONS

Reddit and Roblox have also been classified as Very Large Online Platforms after crossing the 45-million-user threshold.
Roblox, which allows users to create and interact with games and other user-generated content, faces particular scrutiny because of its large population of younger users.
The DSA requires very large platforms to take stronger measures to protect minors and address systemic risks arising from the way their services operate.
Reddit, meanwhile, will face similar requirements concerning illegal content, user protection and broader systemic risks.

WHAT IS THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT?

The Digital Services Act came into force across the European Union in February and has already been applied to some of the world's largest technology and social media companies, including TikTok and Meta.
The legislation gives regulators greater powers to scrutinise how major online platforms handle illegal content, advertising, user safety and the protection of children.
Very Large Online Platforms are subject to more extensive requirements because their enormous user bases mean that problems occurring on their services can potentially affect millions of people.

EU TIGHTENS SCRUTINY OF TECH GIANTS

The latest action is part of a broader European push to hold major technology companies more accountable.
The European Commission has increasingly focused on issues such as addictive platform design, online safety and the impact of social media on young people.
TikTok, for example, has faced intense scrutiny from European authorities over concerns about potentially addictive features. The EU has warned the platform that it may need to change aspects of its design or face serious regulatory consequences.
The inclusion of ChatGPT in the DSA framework signals that European regulators are extending this approach beyond traditional social media.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, the EU is seeking to ensure that rapidly growing AI platforms are subject to rules designed to protect users while limiting potential societal risks