UK ICO fines Reddit $19 million for unlawful collection of children's data
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The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has fined Reddit £14.47 million ($19.5 million) for collecting and using personal data of children under 13 without adequate safeguards. The ICO found that Reddit lacked meaningful age-verification systems until July 2025, despite its terms prohibiting underage users. The regulator estimates significant numbers of underage children used the platform, exposing them to harmful content. Reddit has announced plans to appeal the decision.
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24.02.2026 16:54 1 articles · 2h ago
UK ICO fines Reddit $19 million for unlawful collection of children's data
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) fined Reddit £14.47 million ($19.5 million) for collecting and using personal data of children under 13 without adequate safeguards. The ICO found that Reddit lacked meaningful age-verification systems until July 2025, despite its terms prohibiting underage users. The regulator estimates significant numbers of underage children used the platform, exposing them to harmful content. Reddit has announced plans to appeal the decision.
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- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54
Information Snippets
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Reddit was fined £14.47 million ($19.5 million) by the UK ICO for unlawfully collecting and using data of children under 13.
First reported: 24.02.2026 16:541 source, 1 articleShow sources
- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54
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Reddit lacked meaningful age-verification systems until July 2025, despite prohibiting underage users in its terms of service.
First reported: 24.02.2026 16:541 source, 1 articleShow sources
- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54
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The ICO estimates significant numbers of underage children used Reddit before July 2025, exposing them to harmful content.
First reported: 24.02.2026 16:541 source, 1 articleShow sources
- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54
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Reddit implemented age assurance measures in July 2025, but the ICO criticized them for not meeting UK data protection standards.
First reported: 24.02.2026 16:541 source, 1 articleShow sources
- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54
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Reddit plans to appeal the ICO's decision, arguing that the vast majority of its UK users are adults.
First reported: 24.02.2026 16:541 source, 1 articleShow sources
- UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully — www.bleepingcomputer.com — 24.02.2026 16:54