ChatGPT becomes first AI chatbot to face tougher EU rules as Reddit and Roblox added to ‘very large’ list

Brussels has categorized ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as "very large" online platforms, subjecting them to heightened legal oversight under the Digital Services Act. This marks a first for an AI chatbot in the EU. Henna Virkkunen, the EU's technology chief, stated that these platforms will now face stricter scrutiny and accountability, aligning with their substantial impact on citizens and society.

To comply with the Digital Services Act, these platforms must assess and mitigate the risks associated with their services and algorithms, including illegal content dissemination, negative effects on minors, users' well-being, fundamental rights, electoral processes, and public security. The three platforms now have four months to fulfill these obligations.

Lena-Maria Boswald, from the German tech think tank Interface, noted that this designation sets a precedent and could influence regulatory expectations for other large generative AI systems in the EU. The increased oversight will also apply to Roblox, a gaming platform, and Reddit, a popular online forum. The EU's regulatory enforcement has been intensifying against major digital platforms, including American ones, despite American pushback and threats of retaliation.

Earlier this year, the EU fined TikTok €120 million for failing to meet transparency obligations and other violations.