WorkAugust 31, 2026via The Verge AI
ChatGPT to face tougher regulation in the EU
Why it matters
OpenAI now faces EU compliance obligations on minor protection, mental health, and illegal content moderation under the Digital Services Act. This is the first major regulatory classification of a generative AI product as a platform, setting precedent for how AI tools will be governed globally and affecting how enterprises can deploy ChatGPT in EU markets.
Key signals
- ChatGPT classified as 'Very Large Online Search Engine' under EU Digital Services Act
- OpenAI must mitigate risks: minor protection, user mental health, illegal content spread
- DSA restrictions: no ad targeting to minors, no targeting on sexual orientation/religion/ethnicity/political beliefs
- Reddit and Roblox also newly classified as Very Large Online Platforms under same rules
- European Commission announcement; effective regulation for EU operations
The hook
ChatGPT just became a regulated 'Very Large Online Search Engine' in the EU. Here's what changes for OpenAI—and your deployment.
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. That's because ChatGPT is now considered a Very Large Online Search Engine under the EU's Digital Services Act, a set of laws …