UK fines Reddit for not checking user ages aggressively enough

In a significant enforcement action, Reddit has been hit with a £14.5 million ($19.6 million) fine by the UK's Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) due to inadequate measures in verifying the ages of its users. The ICO's investigation revealed that Reddit's lack of robust age verification mechanisms led to the unlawful processing of personal information belonging to children under the age of 13. The ICO's findings highlighted that without appropriate age assurance practices, Reddit was in violation of regulations concerning the protection of minors, potentially exposing them to inappropriate and harmful content. This decision is rooted in the company's practices prior to the implementation of a new age verification system set to launch in July 2025. Despite the upcoming changes, the ICO expressed ongoing concerns regarding Reddit's reliance on users to self-declare their ages during account creation. In response to the fine, Reddit announced plans to appeal, arguing that the ICO's demand for more personal data collection contradicts the platform's commitment to user privacy and safety. A spokesperson for Reddit stated, "We believe strongly in our users' privacy and safety, and the ICO’s insistence on collecting additional private information runs counter to our foundational principles." The company also emphasized its minimal data collection policy, allowing users to browse anonymously without needing to provide personal identifiers unless they choose to create an account. Reddit maintains that its existing privacy policy protects users by limiting the information collected and allowing for anonymous browsing, thereby prioritizing user safety while still complying with regulatory expectations.