EU puts ChatGPT, Reddit and Roblox under stricter DSA rules

In short: The European Commission has classified ChatGPT, Reddit, and Roblox as “very large online platforms,” which brings tougher online safety rules in the EU.

What happened

The European Commission said on Monday that OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the forum site Reddit, and the gaming platform Roblox will face stricter requirements under the EU Digital Services Act, often called the DSA.

The DSA is the EU’s main law for online safety. It sets rules for how big online services should deal with illegal content and protect users. Being labeled a “very large online platform” is like being moved into a stricter inspection group because of your size and reach.

The Commission said the change is happening because all three services have more than 45 million monthly users in the EU. That number is the threshold that triggers extra oversight.

Under the designation, the services must take additional steps such as removing illegal content and protecting the privacy and security of minors. If they fail to comply, they could be fined up to 6 percent of their global revenue.

The Commission said the companies have until the end of December to meet these extra obligations. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the Financial Times.

Why it matters

For regular users, this could affect what you see and how you are protected online in the EU. It may lead to faster removal of illegal content, stronger protections for children, and more pressure on companies to explain and manage risks on their services. The EU says the rules apply no matter where a company is based, even as US officials have criticized EU enforcement against American tech firms.

Source: Financial Times