EU Sends Information Requests to Major Online Platforms

The European Union is intensifying its scrutiny of major online platforms as regulators continue enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission has the power to request information from large digital services when it needs to assess whether they are meeting their obligations under the bloc’s digital rules. The latest regulatory activity reflects the EU’s broader effort to make major technology companies more accountable for risks associated with their platforms.

The DSA gives the European Commission significant investigative powers, particularly over Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines. These powers include requesting documents and information, conducting interviews and carrying out inspections where justified. Regulators can use the information collected to determine whether a platform is adequately addressing risks linked to illegal content, user safety and the operation of its recommendation systems.

The EU’s latest actions come as the number of major services under enhanced supervision continues to grow. On August 31, 2026, the Commission designated ChatGPT as a Very Large Online Search Engine, while Reddit and Roblox were designated as Very Large Online Platforms after reporting at least 45 million average monthly users in the EU. The companies now face additional obligations to assess and mitigate systemic risks associated with their services.

Under the DSA framework, regulators are particularly concerned with issues including the spread of illegal content, risks to minors, effects on users’ well-being, fundamental rights, electoral processes and public security. The rules also require greater transparency from platforms and provide users with stronger mechanisms for reporting illegal content and challenging certain moderation decisions.

The increased regulatory attention demonstrates how the EU is seeking to establish stronger oversight of the digital economy. Companies operating major platforms are expected to provide regulators with sufficient information to demonstrate how they identify and manage systemic risks. As enforcement expands, technology companies are likely to face continued pressure to improve transparency, safety measures and accountability while operating in the European market.