Sebi cautions investors against social media live trading tips and unregistered advisory services

Mumbai: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Monday cautioned investors against social media accounts offering ‘live trading strategies’ and real-time stock market tips, warning that such sessions may involve unregistered investment advisory services.

The regulator said it had noticed individuals on social media platforms offering real-time strategies and tips on taking positions in the stock market.

“It is observed that these live trading sessions are being viewed by a substantial number of viewers and live chats are also enabled beside the session where unregistered advisory services are being exchanged,” Sebi said.

“These persons portray themselves as experts in the securities market, provide detailed analysis of when to invest, when to exit, strategies to be followed and the positions to be taken on market indices. Some of these persons claim that they trade real-time while showcasing the performance of their trades, patterns that the market is forming based on live data and the target expected to be reached,” it said.

The regulator said that live market data cannot be shared by entities except for purposes linked to the orderly functioning of the securities market or meeting regulatory requirements.

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In May, it said market price data could be shared for investor education and awareness with a 30-day lag and without monetary incentives.