India’s market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has taken a new step to protect small investors. SEBI has asked Google to add a blue verification tick for all genuine stock broking apps listed on the Google Play Store.

The idea is simple — make it easy for people to spot real trading apps and stay away from fake ones.

Why SEBI Took This Step

Over the last few years, more and more Indians have started investing in the stock market. Thanks to mobile apps like Groww, Zerodha, Upstox, and Angel One, investing has become as easy as using any other app on your phone.

But this popularity has also attracted fraudsters. Many fake trading apps have appeared online, pretending to be real brokers. These apps look genuine, use similar names and logos, and even promise high returns or “sure profits.”

Once people transfer money into these apps, the scammers disappear. Investors lose everything.

SEBI received several complaints about such frauds. That’s when the regulator decided to involve Google — the biggest app platform in India — to help protect users.

What SEBI Wants Google to Do

SEBI has asked Google to verify all apps that belong to registered and licensed brokers. These verified apps will get a blue tick — just like verified accounts on social media platforms.

This tick will show that the app is genuine, regulated, and safe to use.

At the same time, SEBI wants Google to:

• Remove or block fake apps that use misleading names or promises.
• Warn users when they try to install an unverified or suspicious trading app.
• Highlight verified apps so that new investors can easily find the right platforms.

In short, the goal is to make online investing safer for everyone — especially for beginners who are new to the stock market.

Why It Matters for Investors

This move is a big step toward protecting India’s growing community of digital investors. Here’s how it helps:

1. Easy to Identify Real Apps: With a blue tick, people can instantly know which app is safe and genuine.
2. Fewer Scams: Fake and foreign apps will lose visibility, reducing fraud cases.
3. More Confidence: Investors will feel more secure while using digital trading platforms.
4. Better Awareness: It will teach new investors to look for verified sources before trusting any app.

As more Indians invest online, protecting them from digital scams has become essential.

The Boom of Online Investing

India has seen a huge shift toward online trading in recent years. There are now over 12 crore demat accounts, and a large share of these are opened through mobile trading apps.

Young people, especially those aged between 20 and 35, make up the majority of new investors. They prefer quick and simple platforms to buy and sell stocks, mutual funds, or even IPO shares.

But along with this digital growth came scam apps that promise “double your money in a week” or “guaranteed daily profits.” These fake platforms advertise heavily on social media, tricking people into downloading them and sending money.

That’s why SEBI believes a verification badge on the Play Store could make a huge difference.

How Google Is Responding

Google has reportedly welcomed SEBI’s idea and is exploring how to implement it.

Some options being considered include:

• A visible “Verified by SEBI” tag next to official broker apps.
• A dedicated section on Play Store showing only trusted financial apps.
• Advanced detection systems to remove or demote fake and copycat trading apps.

While it may take time to roll out, once implemented, this could make India one of the first countries to have verified trading apps directly on Google Play.

What Experts Are Saying

Experts have praised SEBI’s move, calling it a “smart and practical solution.”

Market analyst Ramesh Kumar says, “Millions of Indians are now investing online, but not all understand how to check if a broker is real. A blue tick system will help them make safe choices instantly.”

Cybersecurity expert Neha Desai added, “Fake investment apps are growing fast. Collaboration between SEBI and Google is a positive sign. It’s time big tech platforms take responsibility for financial safety.”

Many believe this could become a model for global tech-regulator cooperation, combining technology with investor protection.

Tips for Investors

While SEBI and Google work on this new system, investors should stay alert. Here are a few simple safety tips:

1. Check the broker’s name on SEBI’s website before downloading their app.
2. Download only from the official Play Store — avoid third-party links or APKs.
3. Be cautious of ads and WhatsApp messages claiming “guaranteed profits” or “exclusive trading plans.”
4. Never share personal details like OTPs, passwords, or bank info with unverified platforms.
5. Report fake apps to Google and SEBI immediately.

Remember, no legitimate broker can promise risk-free returns.

A Safer Future for Digital Investors

SEBI’s move to request Google for a verification tick is a much-needed step in the digital era.

As millions of Indians trust apps for managing their savings and investments, identifying which ones are genuine has become crucial. The blue tick will serve as a quick visual assurance that a platform follows the rules and is monitored by SEBI.

Once this system goes live, it could significantly reduce the number of online fraud cases and bring greater confidence to investors. It also shows that technology companies and regulators can work hand in hand to create a safer financial ecosystem.

In the long run, this will not only protect investors but also strengthen India’s image as a secure and trustworthy fintech market.