The European Commission is about to classify ChatGPT as a very large search engine, which would put the chatbot under some of the bloc’s most comprehensive digital regulations.
The Commission will announce that it views OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT as “a very large online search engine” in the upcoming days, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported based on sources familiar with the matter.
As a result, the chatbot will fall under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a landmark regulation introducing rules for online platforms aimed at preventing illegal content and products.
This will require OpenAI to be more transparent about recommender systems and advertising, as the company has already started testing ads on ChatGPT. The potential manipulative impact of adverts sparked the resignation of research scientist Zoë Hitzig.
ChatGPT has over 120 million active users in Europe, according to 2025 data, far exceeding the 45 million user threshold for classification as a very large online platform or a very large online search engine.
Under the DSA, very large platforms must address potential risks related to illegal content and fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression and media freedom.
Moreover, they must prevent risks to public health and mental and physical well-being.
OpenAI is currently facing multiple lawsuits alleging that ChatGPT contributed to the suicides of adults and children.
Data released by the company reveals that 0.07% of ChatGPT active users in a given week – about 560,000 people – show “possible signs of mental health emergencies related to psychosis or mania.”
In addition, over a million users have conversations that “include explicit indicators of potential suicidal planning or intent” every given week.
Failure to comply with the DSA can result in hefty fines for OpenAI.
The Commission issued a fine of €120 million to social platform X in late 2025 for breaching its transparency obligations under the DSA, including the deceptive design of its “blue checkmark” and the lack of transparency of its advertising repository.
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