The European Union said OpenAI's ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox should be held to a higher standard of scrutiny under the bloc's Digital Services Act as Brussels seeks to mitigate potential risks from their services and algorithmic systems for millions of users.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said it had designated ChatGPT as a very large online search engine and Reddit and Roblox as very large online platforms under the DSA because they counted at least 45 million average monthly users in the bloc.
They join ranks with heavyweights like Amazon.com, Apple, Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and TikTok that have already earned such EU designations.
Under the DSA, online marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, app stores and online travel and accommodation platforms have obligations to ensure their products are safe or risk a fine of up to 6% of their annual revenue as well as periodic penalty payments.
However, those designated as very large online search engines and very large online platforms must comply with additional obligations such as taking steps to ensure their algorithmic systems can't be misused to spread illegal content, influence elections or harm users, especially minors.
"These new designations mean that ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox will now be held to a higher standard of scrutiny and accountability in the European Union, in line with their large impact on our citizens and society," Henna Virkkunen, the commission's top tech enforcer, said.
EU officials will gain additional powers to probe the functionalities behind ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox and ensure they are in line with the DSA. The companies have until the end of November to comply with their additional obligations.
Joost Hagesteijn, Roblox's General Manager for Europe, said in a statement that safety was foundational to the company and that it would continue to engage constructively with the commission. OpenAI and Reddit didn't respond to requests for comment.
The commission has earmarked 28 very large online platforms and search engines under the DSA so far and the latest additions show that EU officials are unrelenting in their bid to scrutinize and hold powerful companies to account despite complaints from U.S. President Trump that the bloc is unfairly targeting American companies.
News Corp, owner of Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal, has a content-licensing partnership with OpenAI.
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