The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has fined Reddit £14.5 million. The social platform illegally processed the data of children under 13. This is the ICO’s largest penalty yet for breaching children’s privacy.
Previously, Reddit relied on users self-declaring their ages during sign-up. Consequently, underage children could join the platform easily. The ICO also found that Reddit did not assess or reduce risks to children before January 2025.
“Children under 13 had their personal information collected and used in ways they could not understand, consent to, or control,” said John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner. “As a result, they faced exposure to content they should not have seen. That is unacceptable and led to this fine.”
The fine ranks as the third-largest imposed by the ICO, after British Airways (£20 million in 2018) and Marriott Hotels (£18.4 million in 2014).
Reddit plans to appeal. A spokesperson said, “The ICO’s demand that we collect more private information on all UK users goes against our commitment to privacy and safety.” Moreover, the company clarified that it removes users under 13, in line with its user agreement.
Since July 2025, UK users who want to access mature content must prove they are over 18. They do this by uploading a selfie or government ID. This policy complies with the Online Safety Act.
Edwards stressed that online platforms must protect children from exposure to risks. “Reddit failed to meet these standards,” he added.
Child rights campaigners welcomed the fine. However, they warned that regulations have existed since 2018 and enforcement was long overdue. Colette Collins-Walsh, head of UK affairs at the 5Rights Foundation, said, “For years, a major platform relied on a simple tick-box for age. As a result, young users remained unprotected. New rules mean little if we do not enforce the old ones.”
Ultimately, the ruling highlights the importance of protecting children online. It also shows the need for stronger enforcement of data privacy laws for minors.
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