The EU designates ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as very large online platforms after each hit 45M monthly users in the bloc, opening them up to more DSA scrutiny (Gian Volpicelli/Bloomberg)

The European Union is imposing stricter regulations on popular online platforms, including AI chatbot ChatGPT, the massive online forum Reddit, and the gaming platform Roblox. These three internet services have each surpassed the crucial threshold of user numbers and must now comply with the Digital Services Act (DSA), according to a communication from the EU Commission.

The DSA serves as the EU's sharp weapon against large online platforms and has been in effect since February 2024. The Brussels internet guardians have already initiated numerous proceedings against platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or major porn platforms based on the law. Elon Musk's social network X and the online retailers Temu and AliExpress have already faced multi-million euro fines from the EU Commission due to their failure to adhere to the rules despite repeated warnings.

As of now, more than 45 million users per month actively engage with ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox according to the European Commission. Hence, all three US-based companies have crossed the threshold of approximately 45 million users per month, making them very large online platforms under the law. For ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, the EU law is already applicable.

Additionally, the chatbot is now classified as a very large online search engine and falls under the DSA.