Imgur Blocks UK Access Following ICO Data Protection Fine Notice

Image-hosting platform Imgur has blocked UK users from accessing its content following the Information Commissioner’s Office issuing a provisional fine notice on 10 September 2025 for children’s data protection failures. UK users attempting to access Imgur on Tuesday 30 September were met with an error message stating “content not available in your region”.

Context and Background

The ICO launched its investigation into Imgur in March 2025 as part of the Children’s Code strategy, examining whether the platform complied with UK data protection laws and requirements to protect children using online services. Documents published by the ICO stated that Imgur did not ask visitors to declare their age when setting up an account.

On 10 September 2025, the ICO issued MediaLab AI Inc (Imgur’s parent company) with a notice of intent to impose a fine following initial findings. A help article on Imgur’s US website confirmed that “from September 30, 2025, access to Imgur from the United Kingdom is no longer available”, with UK users unable to log in, view content, or upload images. Imgur content embedded on third-party sites including Reddit and online forums also ceased displaying for UK users.

Both the ICO and Ofcom confirmed Imgur’s decision to block UK access was a commercial decision taken by the company, not a result of regulatory action. Ofcom noted that other MediaLab services, such as Kik messenger, remain available in the UK having implemented age assurance to comply with the Online Safety Act.

Looking Forward

Tim Capel, ICO Interim Executive Director for Regulatory Supervision, emphasised: “We have been clear that exiting the UK does not allow an organisation to avoid responsibility for any prior infringement of data protection law, and our investigation remains ongoing.” The findings remain provisional whilst the ICO considers representations from MediaLab before making a final decision on the monetary penalty.

The case demonstrates the regulator’s commitment to holding platforms accountable for children’s data protection, regardless of whether they continue operating in the UK market. UK users can exercise their rights under data protection law to request copies of their data or account deletion.

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