Between search and platform: ChatGPT under the DSA

Toni Lorente and Kathrin Gardhouse

Internet Policy Review: Journal on Internet Regulation, 2026, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-27

Abstract: This article examines the applicability of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to ChatGPT, arguing that it should be classified as a hybrid of the two types of hosting services: online search engines and platforms. This requires classifying search engines as hosting services, which we show is appropriate under the DSA, thereby resolving an ambiguity in the legal framework. ChatGPT performs core search functions and stores user-provided inputs and custom GPTs, meeting the definition of hosting service. We compare ChatGPT's systemic risks with those of existing Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) and Platforms (VLOPs), showing that it raises similarly serious concerns regarding illegal content, fundamental rights, democratic integrity, and public health. Once ChatGPT reaches the 45 million EU user threshold, it should be subject to the most onerous DSA obligations, requiring the assessment and mitigation of risk emanating from both its online search engine- and platform-like characteristics.

Keywords: Digital Services Act; Very Large Online Search Engine; Very Large Online; Platform; ChatGPT; AI regulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:iprjir:339538

DOI: 10.14763/2026.1.2084

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