ChatGPT and Roblox to be designated as 'very large online platforms' in EU

New VLOP Designations

ChatGPT and Roblox are reportedly set to be designated as "very large online platforms" (VLOPs) by the European Union in August. This designation, according to Bloomberg, places them alongside other major platforms like Google Maps, Facebook, and TikTok under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Criteria for Designation

The VLOP designation is applied to platforms and search engines that have more than 45 million monthly users within the EU. While indicating widespread use, this classification also imposes a set of stricter rules and compliance requirements on the designated services.

Stricter Regulations and Requirements

Within four months of official designation, these platforms must establish a point of contact for authorities and users, implement user-friendly terms and conditions, and increase transparency regarding advertising, recommendation systems, and content moderation decisions. They will also be required to report criminal offenses.

VLOPs must assess and identify risks on their services related to illegal content, electoral processes, gender-based violence, freedom of expression, media freedom, and discrimination. They are then required to implement measures to mitigate these identified risks. Additional requirements include establishing an internal compliance process, undergoing annual audits, sharing data with the European Commission, and allowing vetted researchers access to their data.

Context of Designation

The designation comes as Roblox faces multiple lawsuits concerning child endangerment and allegations of failing to protect children from predatory behavior. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, recently faced scrutiny for not notifying authorities about a banned account linked to a mass shooting suspect and is also facing wrongful death lawsuits alleging a lack of safeguards for suicidal behaviors on its platform.