ChatGPT EU VLOSE: New Digital Services Act Rules

ChatGPT has been classified as a Very Large Online Search Engine, or VLOSE, by the European Commission. This designation gives OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, four months to comply with additional Digital Services Act obligations. Here's the thing: ChatGPT declared at least 45 million average monthly users in the European Union, which triggered this classification. What's interesting is that this status is based on both ChatGPT’s large scale and its ability to search the web in response to user prompts. This decision does not mean OpenAI has violated the DSA. Instead, it places ChatGPT in an enhanced regulatory tier for services whose reach could create systemic risks across the EU. The classification specifically applies to ChatGPT as a VLOSE, distinguishing it from platforms like Reddit and Roblox, which are classified as Very Large Online Platforms. The bottom line: This move clarifies ChatGPT's regulatory status in the EU and means it will face new requirements to ensure user safety and fair competition.