OpenAI's ChatGPT and Reddit have been designated as "systemic risk" platforms under the European Union's Digital Services Act, placing them among the first AI and social media services required to comply with the bloc's most stringent online safety obligations.
What Happened
The European Commission announced that both ChatGPT and Reddit have been classified as systemic risk platforms under the DSA. This designation applies to very large online platforms and very large online search engines with more than 45 million monthly active users in the EU. The companies must now conduct annual risk assessments, implement mitigation measures, and submit to independent audits. They are also required to provide researchers with enhanced data access to study algorithmic risks.
Why It Matters
The designation means ChatGPT and Reddit face compliance costs and operational constraints that smaller platforms do not. For developers building on these platforms' APIs or integrating their services, the rules could affect availability, data handling practices, and content moderation approaches in the EU market. The requirements also set a precedent for how frontier AI systems will be governed as regulatory frameworks mature.
The Bottom Line
ChatGPT and Reddit join a small number of platforms subject to DSA's highest compliance tier. Both companies face an August deadline for their first systemic risk assessments under the new rules.