UK fines Reddit over unlawful use of under-13s’ data and age check failures

In Brief

Reddit was fined over £14m by UK regulator for using children’s data unlawfully and inadequate age verification.

Key Facts

• The UK Information Commissioner’s Office fined Reddit £14.5 million for unlawfully using data of children under 13
• The fine is the largest imposed by the ICO for a breach of children’s privacy to date
• Reddit introduced age checks in July following the investigation
• The ICO found failings in Reddit’s age verification process that could expose children to harmful content online
• Reddit is a US-based social news service

What Happened

The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined Reddit £14.5 million for unlawfully processing data of children under 13 and failing to implement adequate age verification. The ICO determined these failings potentially exposed children to inappropriate and harmful content. Reddit introduced age checks in July after the investigation began.

Why It Matters

This fine represents the largest penalty by the ICO for violations of children’s privacy, highlighting regulatory scrutiny on online platforms’ data practices. It underscores the importance of robust age verification to protect children from harmful online material and enforce data protection laws.