UK Regulators Fine Reddit & Porn Sites Over Child Safety

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM

British regulators have taken decisive action against major online platforms over failures to protect children from harmful content and to properly verify users’ ages. On Tuesday, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) announced that Reddit Ltd. had been fined £14.47 million for processing children’s personal data without adequate safeguards. At the same time, Ofcom issued penalties against several adult content websites that failed to implement effective age verification systems, highlighting the UK government’s ongoing push to enforce digital safety standards.

The ICO’s investigation into Reddit focused on the platform’s handling of underage users, particularly children under the age of 13. Although Reddit’s terms of service prohibit children from signing up, the regulator found that the company relied too heavily on self-declared ages at registration. The ICO concluded that this approach did not meet legal requirements under the UK’s data protection laws and left minors’ personal information at risk. Officials noted that Reddit also failed to carry out a mandatory Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) before January 2025, despite evidence of widespread use by young users.

In a statement, Information Commissioner John Edwards emphasized that companies must actively verify the age of users and take clear responsibility for protecting children’s data. “Simply asking users to state their age is not sufficient,” Edwards said. “Platforms have a legal and moral duty to safeguard children’s information and prevent exposure to harmful content.”

Reddit acknowledged the ruling but announced its intention to appeal the fine, citing concerns about user privacy and the challenges of implementing more intrusive age verification measures. The company stated that it has updated some controls in line with the UK Online Safety Act, but maintains that the fine is disproportionate given its limited collection of personal data.

Meanwhile, Ofcom has targeted adult content providers, imposing fines on websites that did not meet the required standards for age checks. One US-based adult site was fined £1.35 million for failing to prevent under-18 access, demonstrating the regulator’s commitment to protecting minors from explicit material online.

These enforcement actions underscore the UK government’s broader strategy to strengthen digital safety and hold online platforms accountable. Under laws such as the Online Safety Act, companies offering user-generated content or interactive services are required to implement robust age assurance systems and prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate material.

The penalties have sparked debate among industry experts and privacy advocates. Critics warn that overly strict identification requirements could compromise user anonymity and privacy, while supporters argue that the safety and protection of minors must take precedence.

As youth engagement with digital platforms continues to rise, UK regulators have made it clear that companies failing to comply with child safety and age verification standards will face significant financial penalties and ongoing oversight. The fines against Reddit and adult content sites serve as a warning to other online services operating in the UK: safeguarding children is not optional, and compliance with legal obligations will be strictly enforced.

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