David Bridges
Meta is implementing new advertising requirements for businesses promoting securities and investments in India, aligning with the updated guidelines from Indian regulators. This initiative aims to enhance the integrity of online promotions in the financial sector.
In March, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced a requirement that all advertisers in the financial sector must undergo registration on each platform where they intend to advertise. This measure is part of an effort to combat the increase in online fraud targeting unsuspecting victims through deceptive promotional tactics. The rise of scams has prompted regulatory action to protect consumers.
According to SEBI:
“SEBI has observed a swift rise in frauds linked to the securities market across various Social Media Platforms (SMPs) such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, Google Play Store, and Apple Store. Fraudsters are luring victims by promoting online trading courses, misleading testimonials, and promises of assured or risk-free returns through these platforms.”
To tackle this issue effectively, SEBI has mandated that all advertisers in the securities and investment sectors must register on every platform they use for advertising. They need to provide their valid email IDs and mobile numbers, which should be listed on the SEBI SI Portal. This new requirement is a proactive measure aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in financial advertisements.
Advertisers were given a deadline until the end of April to comply with this new regulation. Following this, Meta is also integrating these requirements into its advertising system to ensure that all businesses adhere to the new standards.
“Meta is updating its requirements for advertisers who target users in India with securities and investment ads. All advertisers running these types of ads in India, including those with global campaigns, will need to verify their identity by providing their SEBI registration information which reflects the person or organization responsible for the ad.”
Meta has indicated that compliance with these new standards will be enforced “as early as July 31st, 2025.” However, the timeline may vary based on when each business is eligible to fulfill its verification obligations.
“As an advertiser, you will receive a notification detailing when you become eligible to complete the verification and disclaimer process. Be attentive to banners indicating, for instance, “Verification required for securities and investment ads in India.” This notification will help you stay compliant with the new regulations.”
It’s crucial for advertisers in the financial sector to take note of these changes, as the regulations apply to any business that targets consumers in India. This is a significant shift that may impact a wide range of businesses operating within this niche.
While this may seem somewhat specific, it carries substantial implications for many businesses involved in the financial services sector. Adapting to these new requirements will be essential for maintaining compliance and protecting consumer interests.
Meta has announced that it will begin the rollout of the verification process starting June 26th, with a goal for 100% of all eligible advertisers globally to have access to verification by July 28th, 2025.
You can learn more about the updated requirements for securities and investment ads in India by following this link.
Troy Sanders
Clara Hastings
