ACCORDING to Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK is enforcing age verification and children’s privacy rules with urgency, fining operators and data‑use practices that fall short. On 23 February 2026, Ofcom fined US‑based porn operator 8579 LLC around $1.8 million for failing to implement proper age verification and for delays in compliance, and it ordered a complete list of sites operated with an extra daily penalty for non‑compliance.
Within the same 24‑hour window, the ICO issued an $18.2 million fine to Reddit for unlawfully using UK children’s personal data in recommender systems and targeted advertising, as part of its ongoing Age Appropriate Design Code enforcement. The ICO noted that Reddit failed to effectively identify and protect under‑18s and did not ensure the child’s best interests informed its data‑use decisions.
Earlier investigations in 2025 into TikTok, Reddit and Imgur had signalled a tightening approach, with the ICO’s notice of intent preceding the Reddit fine. The regulators emphasised that platforms must balance openness with protecting children’s privacy in the UK.