The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has requested Google to add a verification tick mark next to broking apps on the Play Store to signal legitimacy and protect investors.
Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, SEBI’s Whole Time Member, said Google has accepted the proposal, and the verification badge could be visible within the next one to two months.
The idea is to help users easily distinguish registered broker apps from fake or impersonating apps that attempt to defraud unsuspecting investors.
Why This Move Matters
Tackling Fraudulent Apps
Fraudulent trading and investment apps have proliferated, often masquerading as legitimate brokerages. A verification badge would provide a quick visual cue for users to trust or scrutinize an app.
Boosting Investor Protection
By marking only SEBI-registered intermediaries, the badge would reinforce the credibility of genuine apps and reduce the chances of investors falling prey to scams.
Regulatory & Platform Collaboration
This step signals closer cooperation between SEBI, a regulatory body, and major tech platforms (like Google) to embed safety features at the app distribution level.
How the Verification Might Work & Challenges
- SEBI will likely share its list of registered broker entities with Google so that only those apps get the tick badge.
- Apps will need to prove they match the registered entity (name, license number, domain, etc.).
- Google will need to enforce verification rules, resolve disputes, and ensure bad actors can’t “spoof” or bypass the badge.
- For iOS / Apple Store, similar verification would depend on Apple’s cooperation (though SEBI’s statements emphasize the Play Store).
Related SEBI Measures
This verification tick is part of a broader set of steps SEBI is taking to tighten investor safety:
- SEBI has introduced validated UPI handles (IDs ending in “@valid”) for registered intermediaries (brokers, mutual funds) to prevent impersonation in payments.
- SEBI also launched SEBI Check, a platform where investors can verify UPI IDs or bank account + IFSC to confirm intermediaries’ authenticity.
- SEBI has mandated advertiser verification for intermediaries on social media platforms: before brokers can run ads, their contact details (mobile, email) must match SEBI records.
Risks & What to Watch
- The success of the tick depends heavily on platform enforcement (Google must actively manage badge assignments) and data accuracy from SEBI.
- Delay or loopholes could let fraudulent apps slip through or misuse the badge.
- Users must still practise diligence: a badge is not a guarantee; investors should verify app details, reviews, and regulatory status.
- Whether similar verification will be adopted on Apple’s App Store, other app stores, or even web platforms remains to be seen.The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has requested Google to add a verification tick mark next to broking apps on the Play Store to signal legitimacy and protect investors.
Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, SEBI’s Whole Time Member, said Google has accepted the proposal, and the verification badge could be visible within the next one to two months.
The idea is to help users easily distinguish registered broker apps from fake or impersonating apps that attempt to defraud unsuspecting investors.
Why This Move Matters
Tackling Fraudulent Apps
Fraudulent trading and investment apps have proliferated, often masquerading as legitimate brokerages. A verification badge would provide a quick visual cue for users to trust or scrutinize an app.
Boosting Investor Protection
By marking only SEBI-registered intermediaries, the badge would reinforce the credibility of genuine apps and reduce the chances of investors falling prey to scams.
Regulatory & Platform Collaboration
This step signals closer cooperation between SEBI, a regulatory body, and major tech platforms (like Google) to embed safety features at the app distribution level.
How the Verification Might Work & Challenges
SEBI will likely share its list of registered broker entities with Google so that only those apps get the tick badge.
Apps will need to prove they match the registered entity (name, license number, domain, etc.).
Google will need to enforce verification rules, resolve disputes, and ensure bad actors can’t “spoof” or bypass the badge.
For iOS / Apple Store, similar verification would depend on Apple’s cooperation (though SEBI’s statements emphasize the Play Store).
Related SEBI Measures
This verification tick is part of a broader set of steps SEBI is taking to tighten investor safety:
SEBI has introduced validated UPI handles (IDs ending in “@valid”) for registered intermediaries (brokers, mutual funds) to prevent impersonation in payments.
SEBI also launched SEBI Check, a platform where investors can verify UPI IDs or bank account + IFSC to confirm intermediaries’ authenticity.
SEBI has mandated advertiser verification for intermediaries on social media platforms: before brokers can run ads, their contact details (mobile, email) must match SEBI records.
Risks & What to Watch
The success of the tick depends heavily on platform enforcement (Google must actively manage badge assignments) and data accuracy from SEBI.
Delay or loopholes could let fraudulent apps slip through or misuse the badge.
Users must still practise diligence: a badge is not a guarantee; investors should verify app details, reviews, and regulatory status.
Whether similar verification will be adopted on Apple’s App Store, other app stores, or even web platforms remains to be seen.
Conclusion
SEBI’s call for a verification tick for registered brokers on Google’s Play Store aims to create a visible marker of trust for investors and clamp down on fake trading apps. If implemented correctly within the next couple of months, it could be a significant step toward strengthening investor protection in India’s digital financial ecosystem.
Conclusion
SEBI’s call for a verification tick for registered brokers on Google’s Play Store aims to create a visible marker of trust for investors and clamp down on fake trading apps. If implemented correctly within the next couple of months, it could be a significant step toward strengthening investor protection in India’s digital financial ecosystem.
