The image-sharing site Imgur has shut off access to UK users after the country’s data watchdog warned the platform of a fine, as reported earlier by the BBC. In a post on Imgur’s help page, Imgur confirms that users in the UK can no longer log in, view content, or upload images starting September 30th, 2025.
Now, when UK-based users try to access Imgur’s website, it displays a message reading “Content not available in your region.” Imgur will also block UK users from seeing content from the platform embedded on third-party websites, like Reddit, according to Imgur’s help page.
Though Imgur doesn’t cite a reason for the change, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) says it recently warned Imgur’s parent company, MediaLab, of plans to impose a fine as part of an investigation into its use of children’s data and age verification measures. The UK first started the investigation into Imgur, TikTok, and Reddit’s compliance with its online safety laws in March. The ICO doesn’t specify what Imgur’s proposed fine is for, but notes that its findings are “provisional” and that it will “carefully consider any representations from MediaLab” before deciding whether to impose a fine.
“Imgur’s decision to restrict access in the UK is a commercial decision taken by the company,” the ICO writes. Tim Capel, the ICO’s interim executive director, adds that “exiting the UK does not allow an organisation to avoid responsibility for any prior infringement of data protection law” and that the investigation into Imgur is still underway.
The Verge reached out to Imgur with a request for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.