Reddit Fined 20 Million Dollars in UK Over Failures to Protect Children’s Data

Reddit has been fined 14.47 million pounds, equivalent to nearly 20 million dollars, by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office after regulators found the platform unlawfully processed children’s personal data and failed to adequately protect young users from potential harm.

The privacy watchdog concluded that Reddit did not implement effective age verification measures for several years, despite its own terms of service prohibiting children under the age of 13 from using the platform. According to the regulator, meaningful age checks were not introduced until July 2025, leaving a significant number of under 13s able to access the service.

The Information Commissioner’s Office said this meant children’s personal information was collected and used without proper safeguards or lawful basis. Officials added that young users may have been exposed to content that was not appropriate for their age group.

UK Information Commissioner John Edwards said in a statement that children under 13 had their data processed in ways they could not reasonably understand, consent to or control. He stated that this raised serious concerns about privacy and online safety.

The investigation also found that Reddit did not complete a data protection impact assessment covering children’s information until January 2025. Such assessments are required under UK data protection law when organizations process data that could pose high risks to individuals, particularly minors.

Reddit has announced it intends to appeal the decision. In a statement, the company said it does not require users to share detailed identity information, arguing that this policy reflects its commitment to privacy. The company added that it believes collecting more personal data from users to verify age could undermine user safety and anonymity.

The fine comes amid growing political and regulatory scrutiny over children’s use of social media platforms. The UK government has been consulting on new measures that could include banning social media access for under 16s, restricting addictive design features, and tightening smartphone controls for young people.

Concerns over online harms have prompted similar actions internationally. Countries including Australia, Spain, Greece and Slovenia have moved toward stricter age based restrictions. In Australia, platforms were required to remove millions of accounts after an under 16 social media ban came into effect last year.

The case highlights the increasing pressure on technology companies to balance user privacy with child safety obligations. Regulators have emphasized that platforms operating in the UK must comply with data protection laws and ensure that robust safeguards are in place when processing children’s information.

As digital services continue to expand their reach among younger audiences, enforcement actions such as this signal a more assertive regulatory approach toward global social media companies operating within the United Kingdom.