LONDON – British data protection authorities announced Tuesday they have imposed a substantial financial penalty of 14.47 million pounds (approximately $19.52 million) against the popular social media site Reddit due to violations involving minors’ privacy protections.
The Information Commissioner’s Office determined that Reddit violated privacy regulations by failing to implement adequate age verification systems for its users. This oversight meant the platform improperly collected and processed personal information from children under 13 years old without proper authorization.
Additionally, regulators found that Reddit failed to complete mandatory safety evaluations designed to assess potential risks to young users until after January 2025, well beyond required deadlines.
The enforcement action highlights ongoing concerns about how major technology platforms handle sensitive data from underage users and comply with international privacy standards designed to protect children online.
