SEBI raids brokers in data leak probe
Context
Raids by SEBI wrt alleged leak of sensitive financial information on social media
What has happened?
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) raided 34 locations on Friday, aimed at members of a particular WhatsApp group, as part of a probe into alleged leak of sensitive financial information by analysts and company officials over social media
Backdrop
It is believed that the raids were against members of a group known as ‘Market Chatters Group,’ however it could not be independently confirmed. An email query to SEBI remained unanswered till the time of going to press
Info sharing barred
Such select sharing of information by companies or even analysts is barred under the current regulatory norms and SEBI can issue show-cause notices to companies and even analysts alleged to be involved in such activities
Significance of the reaction
While it is widely known that restricted groups on WhatsApp and Facebook are used to discuss price sensitive information, SEBI’s actions will send strong signals that sharing of such information would attract the ire of the regulator
Precaution
SEBI, however, also needs to tread carefully as being a member of a group without any trade or further tipping someone may not be chargeable for insider trading
