Meta has taken a decisive step to combat financial misinformation and protect investors in India by mandating SEBI registration verification for all securities and investment ads on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Effective July 31, 2025, this policy applies to all advertisers—whether based in India or abroad—targeting Indian users with investment-related content. Advertisers must submit valid SEBI registration details, with the verified SEBI number, organization name, and location displayed publicly on each ad, alongside mandatory disclaimers. This transparency enables users to easily distinguish between regulated financial advice and unverified content, directly addressing the surge in scams and misleading promotions by unregistered advisors and so-called “finfluencers”.
The new rules have a global reach, covering all campaigns aimed at Indian audiences, regardless of the advertiser’s location. For those exempt from SEBI registration, such as financial educators or trainers, Meta has introduced alternate verification pathways. Individuals must provide a government-issued ID, while organizations are required to upload business documents, ensuring that even educational content is traceable and accountable. Ads focused solely on financial education or skill-building may not require SEBI verification, but alternate verification still applies.
Meta began rolling out the verification process on June 26, 2025, with full global availability expected by July 28, 2025. Advertisers will have at least one month to comply once eligible, and ads published before July 31 do not require retroactive changes if the advertiser’s account is verified under the new system. Importantly, verification information will remain accessible in Meta’s Ad Library for up to seven years, supporting long-term transparency and regulatory oversight.
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This move is the result of ongoing collaboration between Meta and SEBI, following a wave of high-profile investment scams on social media platforms. SEBI’s advisories earlier this year called for stricter verification of financial advertisers to curb fraud and impersonation. The policy is widely seen as a watershed moment for digital investor protection in India, setting a new industry benchmark for accountability, transparency, and consumer trust in financial advertising. Industry professionals have welcomed the change, emphasizing that investor education and protection are critical for business success and stakeholder confidence. Meta’s initiative is expected to inspire similar action across other digital advertising platforms, further strengthening the ecosystem for investor safety in India.
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