The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has implemented new regulations requiring registered intermediaries to verify their identities before advertising on digital platforms such as Google and Meta.
Announced on Friday, this initiative aims to combat the growing problem of investment scams proliferating across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, Telegram, and the Google Play Store, where fraudsters target investors with misleading promises and false information.
Under the new guidelines, intermediaries must use email addresses and phone numbers already registered with SEBI’s SI Portal when creating accounts on social media platforms. These platforms will be required to verify these contact details before allowing any advertisements to be published, ensuring only legitimate entities can promote their services online.
SEBI has established April 30, 2025, as the deadline for intermediaries to update their contact information on the SEBI SI Portal. This requirement forms part of the regulator’s comprehensive strategy to strengthen investor protection measures and maintain market integrity.
By implementing stricter oversight of digital advertising channels, SEBI aims to reduce deceptive marketing practices that often result in substantial financial losses for investors. These measures are expected to create significant barriers for fraudulent operators attempting to advertise questionable investment schemes across major online platforms
