Regulation
EU Classifies ChatGPT and Others Under Digital Services Act, Excludes Anthropic's Claude
The European Commission has officially classified ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act (DSA), alongside Reddit and Roblox, which have been designated as Very Large Online Platforms. This classification mandates compliance with strict regulations aimed at ensuring user safety and content moderation.
Anthropic's Claude, however, has been left out of this designation. The exemption is attributed to Claude's reported European user base, which remains below the DSA's threshold of 45 million average monthly users. ChatGPT reported approximately 159.1 million users, while Reddit and Roblox declared 57.2 million and 46.4 million users, respectively.
The DSA's classification is based solely on user counts and does not reflect safety evaluations. Companies are required to disclose their user figures to the Commission, which then determines compliance. The designated platforms now have four months to adhere to additional obligations, which include assessing systemic risks related to illegal content, minors, and mental well-being.
Henna Virkkunen, the European Union’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, emphasized that the Commission will not hesitate to designate any platform that meets the threshold for enhanced supervision. This enforcement comes in light of previous fines imposed on platforms for non-compliance.
Anthropic's Claude remains under scrutiny as it prepares for a new user count disclosure, which could impact its future status under the DSA.
New Developments on EU Digital Services Act Compliance
- The European Commission has classified OpenAI's ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as Very Large Platforms under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
- ChatGPT is designated as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE), marking it as the first standalone AI service to receive this classification.
- Reddit and Roblox are categorized as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) due to their user base exceeding 45 million average monthly active users in the EU.
- ChatGPT recorded approximately 159.1 million average monthly users between October 2025 and March 2026.
- Reddit reported 57.2 million average monthly EU users as of July 2026, while Roblox had between 46.6 and 48 million users.
- The total number of platforms and search engines designated under the DSA's highest tier has now reached 28.
- Designated companies must comply with requirements by the end of December 2026 or January 2027, including annual risk assessments and mechanisms to tackle illegal content.
- Non-compliance could result in fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover.
- ChatGPT's classification as a VLOSE treats it similarly to a search engine, imposing obligations related to transparency and content ranking.
- Roblox's compliance will require robust age verification and content safety systems due to its young user base.
FAQ
What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a regulation by the European Commission that aims to create a safer digital space by imposing strict regulations on online platforms to ensure user safety and content moderation.
Why was ChatGPT classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine?
ChatGPT was classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine under the DSA due to its user base exceeding the threshold of 45 million average monthly users, with approximately 159.1 million users reported.
What are the obligations for platforms classified under the DSA?
Platforms classified under the DSA must comply with regulations that include assessing systemic risks related to illegal content, protecting minors, and addressing mental well-being. They have four months to adhere to these obligations.
Why was Anthropic's Claude excluded from the DSA classification?
Anthropic's Claude was excluded from the DSA classification because its reported European user base is below the DSA's threshold of 45 million average monthly users.
What could impact Anthropic's Claude's future status under the DSA?
Anthropic's Claude's future status under the DSA could be impacted by its upcoming user count disclosure, which may determine whether it meets the threshold for classification and compliance.