Roblox and ChatGPT will reportedly have to suck less thanks to the EU’s Digital Services Act
Roblox and ChatGPT have been designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the European Union’s Digital Services Act, according to Bloomberg. This classification applies to any online platform with more than 45 million monthly active users, placing both services alongside established giants including Facebook, X, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
With the VLOP designation come significant regulatory requirements mandating greater transparency and accountability. Both platforms must increase transparency in their terms and conditions, clearly communicating policies governing user activity and data handling. Additionally, they are required to establish more robust systems for reporting crimes and responding to authorities regarding illegal content and activity.
The Digital Services Act represents the EU’s comprehensive approach to regulating large online platforms, addressing concerns around content moderation, user safety, data privacy, and systemic risks posed by major technology services. By bringing Roblox and ChatGPT under the VLOP framework, EU regulators are applying the same scrutiny to these platforms as established social media giants.
For Roblox, this means the user-generated content platform must enhance safety and transparency measures across its ecosystem. For OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the designation reflects the AI chatbot’s rapid adoption and influence as a major online service. Both companies will need to implement compliance measures and adjust operational practices to meet EU regulatory standards, underscoring growing focus on holding large technology platforms accountable for their societal impact.