Regulatory Trap: EU Prepares OpenAI for Strict DSA Norms

The European bureaucracy strikes back. On April 12, 2026, it was revealed that the European Commission is exploring the possibility of subjecting ChatGPT to a stricter regulatory regime under the Digital Services Act (DSA).

A week after Google accused the EU of "inaction" and decided to voluntarily filter CSAM, Brussels is taking on OpenAI. The trigger was the publication of current user count data. If ChatGPT is designated a "Very Large Online Platform" (VLOP), OpenAI will face colossal compliance costs: mandatory independent audits, opening algorithms to regulators, and strict control over systemic risks. This is a classic European attempt to compensate for its technological lag with administrative pressure on US Big Tech.

Source: European Commission / Reuters