What does the 'Very Large Online Platform' (VLOP) designation mean?

It is a category under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for platforms with more than 45 million monthly users in the EU, imposing stricter obligations regarding content moderation, transparency, and payment of supervisory fees.

When will ChatGPT and Roblox receive this designation?

According to Bloomberg sources, the European Commission's decision is expected as early as August 2026.

What fines do platforms face for violating the DSA?

Fines can reach up to 6% of the company's annual global revenue. Fines have already been imposed on X (€120 million or $140 million) and Alibaba (€550 million).

How does this affect users in Croatia?

Croatia is an EU member, so the DSA applies directly. This means stricter protection for users of ChatGPT and Roblox, especially regarding child safety and advertising transparency.

ChatGPT and Roblox Become 'Very Large Online Platforms' Under EU Rules

U.I. · 30. 07. 2026. | 2 min

The European Commission will designate ChatGPT and Roblox as VLOPs in August 2026, bringing stricter moderation, transparency requirements, and annual fees. Fines for DSA violations reach 6% of global revenue.

Summary

The European Commission will designate ChatGPT and Roblox as 'very large online platforms' (VLOPs) under the DSA in August 2026.
The threshold is 45 million monthly users in the EU, and the designation brings stricter moderation, reports, and a supervisory fee of up to 0.05% of worldwide profit.
X was fined €120 million (or $140 million) in late 2025, Alibaba €550 million in July 2026.
Croatia, as an EU member, directly falls under the new rules, enhancing protection for domestic users, especially children.

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The European Commission is preparing to designate ChatGPT (OpenAI) and the video game platform Roblox as "very large online platforms" (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), Bloomberg reports citing a knowledgeable source. The decision is expected to take effect as early as August 2026, placing the two American companies under the strictest regulatory regime for online services within the European Union.

The threshold for achieving VLOP designation is 45 million monthly users in the EU. In addition to stricter oversight of illegal and harmful content, platforms with this designation must produce risk mitigation plans, publish transparency reports, and pay an annual supervisory fee to the European Commission. According to the DSA text, "fees per service shall be calculated using a mathematical formula that takes into account the number of users of the service. The fee shall not exceed 0.05% of the worldwide profit of the service provider in the previous financial year."

Growing List of VLOPs and Penalties

Among the existing "very large online platforms" are Amazon Store, TikTok, Wikipedia, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Zalando, Meta Platforms, and X (formerly Twitter). Since the DSA came into force in 2022, the Commission has launched more than a dozen investigations against online platforms. Violations of the rules can result in fines of up to 6% of the company's annual global revenue.

In late 2025, Elon Musk's X was fined for deceptive design elements and lack of transparency. Sources differ on the amount: according to Gizmodo, it was $140 million, while the Straits Times reports €120 million (about SGD 177 million). In July 2026, Alibaba Group Holding was fined €550 million for failing to adequately assess unsafe or counterfeit products on its platform, according to the Straits Times.

Impact on Croatia and U.S. Reaction

Since Croatia is an EU member, the stricter oversight directly affects domestic users of ChatGPT and Roblox. The regulation specifically targets child online safety and transparency of advertising aimed at minors. Roblox has already tightened communication controls and access to games, and all platforms will have to ensure that marketing to children is conducted in line with DSA standards.

The United States, led by President Donald Trump's administration, has criticized the EU for what it claims is censoring American companies. The European Commission declined to comment on the latest decision, and OpenAI and Roblox did not respond to requests for comment, Bloomberg reports.