The European Commission has extended the EU’s stringent digital-platform rules to ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox, requiring them to enhance scrutiny of risks related to children, fundamental rights, public security, and democratic processes by November 2026. These rules apply due to their large European audiences, not because of any legal violations. ChatGPT is classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE), while Reddit and Roblox are designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), each reporting over 45 million EU users.
Different digital services now share a regulatory category: ChatGPT offers conversational answers and internet search; Reddit organizes user-driven discussions; Roblox combines gaming, social interaction, and user-created environments, drawing a significant younger audience. The Commission’s figures show ChatGPT with 159.1 million EU users, Reddit with 57.2 million, and Roblox with 46.6 million, pending further assessment.
The Digital Services Act mandates large platforms and search engines to mitigate systemic risks, including illegal content dissemination, threats to children, and impacts on wellbeing and public security. Annual audits, transparency requirements, and researcher access to platform data for risk and safeguard evaluations are also stipulated. This is crucial for examining recommendation systems and generative search, especially regarding content amplification and moderation consistency across languages.
Roblox must align with the DSA’s minor protection provisions, addressing more than unlawful content by tackling adult contact, manipulative design, privacy risks, and prolonged use inducements. The European debate now focuses on platform architecture and age-appropriate design rather than mere screen time. Effective protections require careful consideration of fundamental rights, avoiding excessive privacy risks or information exclusion through broad filters.
The Commission’s action doesn’t imply legal violations but acknowledges the platforms’ scale. The law doesn’t mandate removing lawful criticism or controversial opinions but ensures systems are in place to manage risks and make decisions transparently. The distinction is crucial for both accountability and freedom of expression, as the DSA emphasizes evidence, transparency, and independent scrutiny over company assurances.
In the next four months, platforms must translate broad legal requirements into specific measures. ChatGPT may focus on search answer generation and sensitive information handling; Reddit on recommendation systems and community governance; and Roblox on ensuring protections align with youth vulnerabilities and rights. The decision’s impact on meaningful protections will rely on risk assessments, audit independence, and the capacity for research and civil oversight.
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