ChatGPT and Roblox Face EU’s Strictest Platform Rules
The European Commission plans to designate ChatGPT‘s search function as a "very large online search engine" and Roblox as a "very large online platform" under the Digital Services Act, potentially as soon as August. This would make ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, the first of its kind to fall under the EU’s toughest tier, subject to audits, risk assessments, and fines of up to 6% of global turnover for non-compliance.
July 30, 2026 – 4:39 pm
Image by: Canva
ChatGPT and Roblox are set to become the latest high-profile platforms to be regulated under the strictest provisions of the Digital Services Act (DSA). According to a report by Bloomberg, citing a source familiar with the plan, ChatGPT’s search functionality will be classified as a "very large online search engine," while Roblox will be labeled a "very large online platform." Both platforms cross the DSA’s threshold of 45 million monthly users within the EU.
While the Commission remained somewhat cautious in its public statement, spokesperson Thomas Regnier confirmed to Reuters that such a designation was "definitely possible" and could come "sooner or later." OpenAI, the developer behind ChatGPT, expressed continued engagement with Brussels on this matter. Roblox chose not to comment.
What the Label Entails
The DSA label is not merely a sign of recognition but carries significant obligations. It places both ChatGPT and Roblox in a group of approximately two dozen platforms subject to the act’s most stringent requirements, alongside giants like Meta, X, Amazon, and TikTok. These platforms have four months from designation to comply with the following:
- Conduct annual risk assessments and independent audits
- Implement transparency rules for advertising
- Provide a recommendation feed unbased on user profiling
- Share data with regulators and approved researchers
- Report criminal offenses
- Pay a supervisory fee
The overarching goal is to mitigate systemic risks associated with these platforms, including illegal content, election interference, discrimination, gender-based violence, and negative impacts on users’ mental and physical health.
Why These Two Platforms?
Roblox, given its popularity among children and ongoing legal issues regarding child safety, presents an obvious target for regulation. The DSA’s primary focus is on protecting children online, and Roblox is a central hub for young users.
The case of ChatGPT is more novel. OpenAI faces wrongful-death suits from families alleging chatbot failures, and Florida has sued the company and its CEO, Sam Altman. Designating a generative AI product to the top tier underscores Brussels’ stance that these tools are not exempt from scrutiny but rather require careful monitoring as platforms.
A Recurring Theme
The Commission’s actions are part of a broader trend. Since the DSA’s implementation, it has initiated over a dozen investigations, fining AliExpress €550 million, penalizing Temu, and hitting X with a €120 million charge (which is being appealed). The EU has escalated its probe into Meta‘s addictive design practices and charged TikTok over child safety concerns. This reflects a wider European push to regulate tech giants.