Reddit fined £14m by UK data watchdog over age check failings

The UK's data watchdog said the failings meant children could be exposed to harmful material online.

24 Feb, 11:46 — 24 Feb, 14:15

Excellent (92/100)

9 sourcesWide spread8 regions

Why this matters

This story highlights the increasing scrutiny on tech companies regarding user data, particularly for minors, underscoring the importance of robust age verification and data protection. It demonstrates the power of regulatory bodies like the UK's ICO to enforce these standards with significant penalties, setting a precedent for other platforms.

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 9 sources cover this story

News outlets report that Reddit has been fined by the UK's data watchdog for failings related to children's data and age verification. Coverage is largely aligned on the core facts, with minor differences in the specific currency used for the fine amount and the emphasis on the nature of the data failings.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

guardian

dr-dk

bbc

delfi-lt

cyprus-mail

channel-news-asia

seeking-alpha

la-vanguardia

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

The Guardiancenter-leftcenter-leftneutralcritical of corporate data handling

dr-dkcentercenter-leftneutralfocus on child protection

BBCcentercenterneutralfactual reporting of regulatory decision

Coverage leans: balanced

The overall coverage is balanced, with most outlets providing factual and neutral reporting on the regulatory action against Reddit.

What sources agree on

Reddit was fined by a UK data or privacy watchdog.
The fine was imposed due to failings related to the protection of children's personal data or age verification.
The fine amount is approximately £14-14.5 million, equivalent to about €16.6 million or $20 million.

Where they diverge

The primary currency used to report the fine amount.

The GuardianBBC

These outlets primarily report the fine in British Pounds (£).

seeking-alphacyprus-mailchannel-news-asia

These outlets primarily report the fine in US Dollars ($).

delfi-ltla-vanguardia

These outlets primarily report the fine in Euros (€).

The specific nature of Reddit's data failings.

BBCdr-dkla-vanguardia

These outlets emphasize 'age check failings' or 'not protecting personal data of minors'.

seeking-alphacyprus-mailchannel-news-asia

Key claims4 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

Reddit was fined approximately £14-14.5 million.

agreed·BBCThe Guardiandelfi-ltcyprus-mail

✓

The fine was issued by the UK's data watchdog (Information Commissioner's Office).

agreed·BBCThe Guardiandelfi-ltla-vanguardiacyprus-mail

Coverage gaps

Reddit's intention to appeal the decision.

Reportedvg

Missingseeking-alphadelfi-ltla-vanguardia+5

The fine being the largest yet for a breach of children's privacy.

ReportedThe Guardian

Missingseeking-alphadelfi-ltla-vanguardia+5

The potential exposure of children to harmful content due to the failings.

ReportedBBCcyprus-mailla-vanguardia

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

The Guardian

Reddit fined £14.5m in UK over use of under-13s’ data

Reino Unido multa a Reddit con 16,6 millones de euros por no proteger datos personales de menores

cyprus-mail

Reddit fined $20 million in UK over children’s data failures

Millionbot til Reddit for personvernsbrudd i Storbritannia

dr-dk

Reddit idømt stor millionbøde for ikke at beskytte børn

BBC

Reddit fined £14m by UK data watchdog over age check failings

channel-news-asia

UK privacy watchdog fines Reddit $20 million over children’s data failures

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

Redditsocial media platform fined UK data watchdogregulatory body imposing the fine Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)UK's data privacy regulator

Coverage Timeline

First report: channel-news-asia · 24 Feb, 11:46|Full coverage: All 9 sources within 2h|Window: 2h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

channel-news-asia24 Feb, 11:46First to report

UK privacy watchdog fines Reddit $20 million over children’s data failures

BBC24 Feb, 12:46

Reddit fined £14m by UK data watchdog over age check failings

dr-dk24 Feb, 13:17

Reddit idømt stor millionbøde for ikke at beskytte børn

vg24 Feb, 13:22

Millionbot til Reddit for personvernsbrudd i Storbritannia

cyprus-mail24 Feb, 13:23

Reddit fined $20 million in UK over children’s data failures

The Guardian24 Feb, 13:30

Reddit fined £14.5m in UK over use of under-13s’ data

la-vanguardia24 Feb, 13:45

Reino Unido multa a Reddit con 16,6 millones de euros por no proteger datos personales de menores

delfi-lt24 Feb, 14:02

„Reddit“ skirta 16,6 mln. eurų bauda

seeking-alpha24 Feb, 14:15Latest update

Reddit gets ~$20M fine in the UK for alleged unlawful use of children's data

Read at source (9 outlets)

seeking-alpha1h ago

Reddit gets ~$20M fine in the UK for alleged unlawful use of children's data

Read full article →

delfi-lt1h ago

„Reddit“ skirta 16,6 mln. eurų bauda

Antradienį Didžiosios Britanijos duomenų apsaugos priežiūros institucija pranešė internetinių forumų svetainei „Reddit“ skyrusi 14,5 mln. svarų sterlingų (apie 16,6 mln. eurų) baudą už vaikų asmens duomenų apsaugos pažeidimus, dėl kurių vaikai galėjo susidurti su žalingu turiniu.

Read full article →

la-vanguardia1h ago

Reino Unido multa a Reddit con 16,6 millones de euros por no proteger datos personales de menores

Una investigación determinó que la plataforma no verifica la edad de los usuarios, lo que pone en riesgo a los niños

By Autor Agencias

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The Guardian1h ago

Reddit fined £14.5m in UK over use of under-13s’ data

Information Commissioner’s Office imposes largest fine yet for a breach of children’s privacy The UK information regulator has fined the social news service Reddit £14.5m for using the data of children under the age of 13 unlawfully and potentially exposing them to inappropriate and harmful content. The hefty punishment from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the largest fine yet for a breach of children’s privacy and comes after the US-based company introduced age checks in July...

By Robert Booth UK technology editor

Read full article →

cyprus-mail2h ago

Reddit fined $20 million in UK over children’s data failures

Britain’s privacy watchdog on Tuesday fined social media platform Reddit 14.47 million pounds for using children’s data unlawfully and potentially exposing them to harmful content. The action comes as Britain considers tighter limits on children’s use of social media, with governments worldwide citing concerns about mental-health risks, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content to justify […]

Read full article →

vg2h ago