EU Digital Services Act Targets Major Online Platforms
The European Union has categorized OpenAI's ChatGPT as a "Very Large Online Search Engine" under the Digital Services Act (DSA), while Reddit and Roblox have been designated as "Very Large Online Platforms." This classification subjects them to the strictest regulatory oversight within the EU framework. Meanwhile, Anthropic’s AI assistant Claude did not meet the DSA’s threshold due to lower European user numbers and therefore remains outside this highest regulatory tier.
User Base Determines Regulatory Status
The DSA’s classification hinges primarily on monthly active user (MAU) counts within the EU, with a defined threshold of 45 million users. Platforms exceeding this figure face intensified compliance obligations. Companies are responsible for self-reporting their usage data, which the EU authorities then verify and use to assign regulatory categories.
According to recent filings, ChatGPT maintains approximately 159 million monthly active users in Europe — more than three and a half times the DSA cutoff. Reddit reports 57.2 million European users, and Roblox slightly surpasses the 45 million mark, exceeding it by roughly 1.6 million. Among these, Roblox is the closest to the threshold.
Regulatory Adjustments Based on User Fluctuations
If a platform’s monthly users decline below the set threshold, its regulatory classification may be downgraded. For example, the adult content site Stripchat was removed from the "Very Large Online Platforms" category in May 2025 after a user drop below the threshold. EU Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen emphasized the commission's commitment to swiftly applying stricter oversight to platforms meeting the higher user counts.
Anthropic’s Claude Remains Below Threshold
Anthropic submits biannual user statistics to the EU as per regulatory requirements. Data from the six months ending October 2025 shows Claude’s European user base remains well under the 45 million benchmark. The exact numbers have not been publicly disclosed and are already over ten months old. Meanwhile, Anthropic is preparing for a landmark initial public offering, attracting market attention to the company’s user growth trajectory.
Compliance Deadlines and Risk Monitoring
Platforms designated as "Very Large" under the DSA have until January 2027 — roughly four months from designation — to fulfill compliance duties. These include assessing systemic risks such as the spread of illegal content, protection of minors, mental health impact, and interference with elections. They must also open their platforms to external audits.
This latest round of regulatory classification reflects the EU’s tightening focus on AI-powered services and social platforms, where data scale determines initial oversight. Although user volume dictates baseline regulation, ongoing priorities include user privacy protection and content safety enforcement. How Anthropic navigates these evolving regulatory and market challenges will remain a key point of interest for investors and industry observers alike.