ShatGPT 4o

What better to ask if ChatGPT must comply with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) than ChatGPT?

Answer:

Yes, ChatGPT.com and its services may be subject to the European Accessibility Act (EAA) if it operates within the European Union and provides digital services or products covered under the Act. Here’s a breakdown:

What is the European Accessibility Act (EAA)?

The EAA, adopted in 2019, aims to make products and services more accessible to people with disabilities across the European Union. It applies to a wide range of digital and physical products and services, with compliance required starting June 2025.

Does ChatGPT.com fall under its scope?

ChatGPT.com, as an AI-powered service available online, could fall under the scope of the EAA if it:

1. Provides services available to the public: EAA applies to software and websites accessible by users, particularly in the EU.
2. Offers communication technology or tools: Interactive AI tools can be seen as digital communication services, which are covered by the Act.
3. Targets EU users: If ChatGPT.com serves users in EU member states, it must comply with the EAA’s accessibility requirements.

Key Accessibility Requirements Under the EAA

If applicable, ChatGPT.com must ensure:

• Accessible website and app design: Following standards like WCAG 2.1 Level AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
• Inclusive interaction methods: Accommodations for users with disabilities, such as screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and adjustable text size.
• Transparent and user-friendly interfaces: Clear instructions and accessible error handling.

Implications

If OpenAI, the provider of ChatGPT.com, markets its services in the EU, it would likely need to assess and adapt its website and applications to meet these requirements by 2025 to avoid penalties or restrictions in the European market.

Does it comply with the EAA? Computer says no

As of now, there is no publicly available information confirming whether ChatGPT.com fully complies with the European Accessibility Act (EAA). The EAA mandates that digital services accessible within the European Union adhere to specific accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA.

While OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has implemented various features to enhance accessibility, such as text-to-speech capabilities and compatibility with assistive technologies, a comprehensive assessment of ChatGPT.com’s adherence to all EAA requirements has not been publicly documented.

Given the EAA’s compliance deadline of June 2025, it is advisable for users and stakeholders to monitor official communications from OpenAI regarding their progress toward full compliance with the Act’s standards.

A superquick automated check of the ChatGPT web app UI confirms that it fails WCAG 2.1

• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value 
  • Incorrect use of ARIA
  • Some buttons have no labels
• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) 
  • Insufficient text contrast
  • Insufficient SVG text contrast
• 1.1.1 Non-text Content 
  • SVG’s missing accessible names
• 3.1.1 Language of Page 
  • Missing lang on HTML element

I wonder if anyone at OpenAI is listening to their own creation?