ChatGPT designated under EU's strictest platform rules as a VLOSE
The European Commission has designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act. The decision brings the platform and its integrated AI agents under the EU's strictest digital regulatory framework.
What happened?
The European Commission has classified ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine (VLOSE) under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The decision, published on 31 August 2026, means that OpenAI is subject to the EU's strictest regulatory framework for digital platforms. OpenAI Ireland Limited states that the service has 159.1 million average monthly users in the EU, and the company now has four months to align its operations with these regulations.
Key facts
| Status | VLOSE (Very Large Online Search Engine) |
|---|---|
| Regelverk | Digital Services Act (DSA) |
| Beslutsdatum | 31 augusti 2026 |
| Månatliga EU-användare | 159,1 miljoner |
| Anpassningsperiod | 4 månader |
Why it matters
The classification shifts the legal focus from model-level safety to platform-centric obligations. This means that risks concerning disinformation, manipulated content, and systemic threats to elections or public health must be actively managed by the platform. Furthermore, AI agents and integrated services that leverage ChatGPT inherit these expanded responsibilities.
Who is affected?
The decision affects OpenAI as well as all developers and companies building AI agents and applications on top of ChatGPT's API or ecosystem. End users and businesses within the EU are also affected, as the service must implement stricter systems for risk management, content moderation, and transparency.
Impact on the EU
With 159.1 million monthly EU users, ChatGPT surpasses the 45 million user threshold defined under the DSA. OpenAI Ireland Limited has four months to satisfy the tightened requirements, which directly impacts how generative AI and autonomous agents are provided within the European Union.
What else you should know
The classification as a VLOSE was confirmed by the European Commission in a press release (IP_26_1772) on 31 August 2026. It marks the first time a generative AI interface has faced these platform-wide obligations.
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