UK Privacy Watchdog Slaps Reddit with Massive Fine Over Major Lapses in Child Data Protection

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Reddit Fined for Failing to Protect Children Online


Britain's data watchdog just sent a strong message to the tech world: protect kids online, or pay the price. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has handed Reddit a £14.47 million penalty for mishandling children's personal data. The ICO Reddit penalty is one of the most talked-about rulings in digital safety this year, and honestly, it was a long time coming.

So, What Did Reddit Actually Do Wrong?


In short, Reddit lets children slip through the cracks. The platform failed to put proper age verification failure checks in place, meaning kids under the age of 13 could sign up and use the site freely, with no parental consent, no safeguards, nothing.

Under the UK's strict data protection laws, companies must get explicit permission from parents before collecting any data on minors. Reddit didn't do that. Instead, children's browsing habits, interests, and personal activity were quietly tracked and stored. That's not a grey area that's a children's data privacy breach, plain and simple.

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Reddit's Side of the Story


Reddit isn't staying quiet. The company plans to appeal the fine, saying that forcing stricter identity checks could actually go against its own privacy principles. They also insist they never intentionally collected data from young users.

To be fair, Reddit has started making changes. They're rolling out better age assurance tools, adding content warnings, and restricting certain areas of the platform. But under the UK Online Safety Act, good intentions don't cancel out past failures. The rules exist for a reason.

Why This Fine Actually Matters


The Reddit UK fine isn't just a headline; it's a turning point. The ICO is showing that no platform is too big to face consequences. The message is clear: build proper protections first, then launch your product.

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Every child using the internet deserves to be safe. As the UK Online Safety Act continues to hold platforms accountable, this ruling proves that the era of ignoring children's data privacy breach issues is finally coming to an end. Tech companies, take note.