Reddit has been fined £14.47m by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for unlawfully using children’s personal information. The regulator said the platform failed to properly check the age of its users, putting children at risk of exposure to inappropriate and harmful online content.
“It’s concerning that a company the size of Reddit failed in its legal duty to protect the personal information of UK children,” said John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner. Reddit responded, stating it “didn’t require users to share information about their identities, regardless of age, because we are deeply committed to their privacy and safety.”
The ICO said the fine relates to “failures” occurring between 5 May 2018 and 8 July 2025, during which Reddit processed data from children under 13 unlawfully. Online platforms likely to be accessed by children are legally responsible for protecting them, including ensuring that their data collection methods do not expose them to risks.
“To do this, companies need to be confident they know the age of their users and have effective age assurance measures,” Edwards added. “Reddit failed to meet these expectations.” On 8 July 2025, Reddit began verifying user ages to comply with the Online Safety Act (OSA). However, the ICO criticised the platform’s previous reliance on self-declared ages, calling it “easy to bypass,” and said it will continue monitoring compliance.
The ICO started investigating Reddit last March, alongside TikTok and Imgur, over concerns about their use of children’s data. While Reddit’s terms of service prohibit under-13s, estimates suggest “there were a large number of children under 13 on the platform.” Consequently, the regulator concluded Reddit processed children’s data without lawful basis.
UK law requires extra caution when collecting data from children, who may be less aware of the risks involved. The ICO emphasised Reddit “must do better” and is reviewing the age assurance measures implemented since July 2025. Reddit’s spokesperson criticised the ICO, arguing that requiring more private information from users conflicts with the platform’s commitment to privacy and safety. The company intends to appeal.
Reddit has seen rapid growth in the UK, ranking 12th among all sites and fourth among social media platforms in 2025. After OSA age verification took effect, unverified users were restricted from accessing certain adult content, including some subreddits and user profiles.
The ICO will continue coordinating with Ofcom, which enforces the OSA, to protect children online. Ofcom recently fined multiple porn site operators for failing to implement adequate age checks, issuing its largest OSA fine to date.
Social media expert Matt Navarra told the BBC that the ICO and Ofcom represent a “two-pronged regulatory approach” in the UK. “The ICO focuses on children’s data and design expectations, while broader online safety laws push the industry toward real age assurance,” he said. He added the Reddit fine marks a turning point, showing regulators now treat Reddit as a major social platform with significant child safety responsibilities.
Erizia Rubyjeana
