EU hits ChatGPT, Reddit, Roblox with toughest DSA tier; Claude escapes

On Monday, the European Commission placed ChatGPT into the highest enforcement level under its Digital Services Act, the EU's framework for online platforms. Anthropic's Claude was not included.

ChatGPT was categorized as a Very Large Online Search Engine, while Reddit and Roblox were designated Very Large Online Platforms. Claude avoided the classification because its self-reported European user count remains below the legal threshold.

DSA Designation Based Purely on User Numbers

The classification hinges on user volume, not safety assessments. The trigger is 45 million average monthly users in the European Union, and companies declare their own figures before the Commission acts.

ChatGPT's search function reported 159.1 million users, roughly 3.5 times the threshold. Reddit declared 57.2 million. Roblox exceeded the bar by 1.6 million, the narrowest margin of the three.

The designation can also be reversed. In May 2025, the Commission removed Stripchat's status after the adult platform's audience fell back below the line.

“…will not hesitate to designate any platform that meets the threshold for enhanced supervision under the Digital Services Act,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Union’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.

Anthropic's Claude Stayed Under the 45 Million Line

Anthropic publishes its own user figures, a disclosure required by the DSA at least twice a year. For the six months ending 31 October 2025, it determined that Claude's European users were well below the threshold.

The exact number was not disclosed, and that snapshot is now ten months old. A newer report is already due, and Anthropic has since approached investors about a record public listing.

The three designated platforms have four months to comply, placing the deadline in January 2027. They must then assess systemic risks covering illegal content, minors, mental well-being and elections, and open their systems to audits.

We have designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine and Reddit and Roblox as Very Large Online Platforms under the Digital Services Act.

They now have four months to comply with additional DSA obligations.

More: https://t.co/gIR8vTolmB#DSA pic.twitter.com/luusxUd3i4

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) August 31, 2026

Enforcement has become a reality, given the Commission's 120 million euro fine on X (formerly Twitter) in December 2025. That was the first non-compliance decision under the law, which allows penalties of up to 6% of global turnover.

Claude's exemption rests on scale alone. Anthropic already faces a lawsuit over training data, and its next European filing will determine whether the heaviest DSA rules apply.