SEBI has ordered all registered intermediaries and market participants to clearly disclose their name and SEBI registration number on the home page of their social media channels. The move aims to curb impersonation, misleading promotions, and scam profiles while giving investors a quick way to confirm whether an online handle is genuinely regulated.
SEBI’s latest directive strengthens its ongoing crackdown on fraudulent market activity proliferating across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, X, Telegram and other social media channels. Registered brokers, advisors, research analysts, portfolio managers, mutual fund houses and other intermediaries must now ensure their official handles clearly display their legal name and SEBI registration number on the landing or home page itself.
The requirement is designed to make impersonation harder, reduce fake “expert” profiles and enable investors to quickly distinguish regulated entities from unregistered finfluencers or scam operators. Non-compliance could invite regulatory scrutiny and enforcement action, pushing entities to align their digital presence with the same compliance standards followed on traditional channels.
Key highlights
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Mandatory: Name and SEBI registration number on home page of every social media channel.
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Applies to all SEBI-registered intermediaries and market participants using social media.
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Aims to curb impersonation, fake advisory channels and misleading promotions.
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Complements SEBI’s broader push to regulate digital ads and financial influencers.
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Enhances investor protection by enabling quick verification of genuine regulated entities.
Sources: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) press releases and advisories; MediaNama; Taxmann; Indira Securities blog.