EU classifies ChatGPT as search
The European Commission designated ChatGPT a Very Large Online Search Engine under the Digital Services Act. It is the first AI chatbot in this category. ChatGPT reported 159.1 million average monthly EU users, above the 45 million threshold.
OpenAI now has four months to meet extra systemic-risk duties. It must assess and reduce risks from illegal content and effects on minors, wellbeing, fundamental rights, elections and public security. The focus now extends beyond bad answers to ChatGPT's design and impact at population scale.
The EU says ChatGPT qualifies because this hybrid service can answer prompts and queries through web search. The designation is based on scale, not a finding that ChatGPT broke the DSA. The formal decision is not yet available, and OpenAI's exact product or policy changes remain unknown.
August 31, 2026 21
