Move aims to curb unauthorised financial advice on Facebook and Instagram
Meta has introduced a new policy requiring all investment-related advertisements targeting users in India to undergo Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registration verification. The move is aimed at curbing the rise of unregulated financial influencers and unauthorised market advice on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as reported by The Economic Times.
Announced on June 26, the policy mandates that both domestic and international advertisers promoting securities and investment products to Indian audiences must verify their SEBI registration. Verified ads will include the advertiser’s name, SEBI registration number, and location, alongside the appropriate disclaimers configured during the ad creation process.
The new rule will take effect from July 31, 2025, with verification tools gradually rolled out starting June 26. Meta expects the verification process to be fully available to eligible advertisers globally by July 28. Once eligible, advertisers will have at least 30 days to complete the verification.
For advertisers exempt from SEBI registration-such as financial educators or training providers-Meta has outlined alternate verification methods. Individuals must submit government-issued identification, while organisations are required to upload valid business documents. While these educational or training-focused ads do not require SEBI verification, they must still meet Meta’s alternate compliance checks.
Importantly, ads launched before July 31 won’t require retroactive updates-provided the advertiser’s account is verified under the new system.
This step underscores Meta’s efforts to foster a safer, more regulated digital financial ecosystem in India.
