.Announced on June 26, the policy requires all advertisers promoting investment products to Indian audiences, including those running global campaigns, to verify the person or organisation benefiting from and paying for the ad by submitting valid Sebi registration details. The verified name, Sebi number, and location will be publicly displayed on the advertisement, along with disclaimers set during ad creation.
The new rules take effect from July 31, 2025, with verification tools being gradually rolled out. Meta will begin rolling out the verification process on June 26, while verification is expected to be available to 100% of all eligible advertisers globally by July 28, 2025, the company said, adding that advertisers will have at least one month to complete the process from the date they become eligible.
Meta has introduced alternate verification pathways for advertisers who are exempt from Sebi registration, such as financial educators or training providers. These individuals must submit a government-issued ID, while organisations will need to upload business documents. The verified identity will still be disclosed on the ads, Meta clarified.
The company added that ads solely focused on financial education, skill-building, or training may not require Sebi verification, though verification under alternate criteria will still apply.
Ads that go live before July 31 will not need to be retroactively edited, provided the advertiser account has been verified under the new system.
The move is the result of sustained engagement between Meta and Sebi. Earlier this year, after extensive consultations, the market regulator worked with digital platforms to bring transparency to financial advertising amid growing concerns over fraud by so-called "finfluencers."
Also read | SEBI mandates advertiser verification on social media to curb investment fraudsIn a March 21 press release, Sebi had urged all registered intermediaries advertising on digital platforms to register their verified contact details with the regulator, citing a surge in securities-related scams on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, X (formerly Twitter), Google Play Store, and Apple App Store.
Meta said its updated policy aims to prevent fraud, impersonation, and enhance consumer safety, and added that similar rules may be expanded to cover other financial product categories in the future.
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