India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
SpaceX Updates Starlink Privacy Policy to Allow AI Training as xAI Merger Talks and IPO Loom 
Elon Musk’s Empire: SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI Merger Talks Spark Investor Debate 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Baidu Approves $5 Billion Share Buyback and Plans First-Ever Dividend in 2026 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Meta Platforms has introduced stricter ad regulations for financial products in Australia, aiming to curb scams. Advertisers must now verify credentials, including financial licenses, to ensure transparency and deter fraudulent schemes on its platforms.
Meta Enforces Stricter Rules for Financial Advertisements in Australia
According to Reuters, in an effort to curb scams on social media, Instagram and Facebook owner Meta Platforms announced on Monday that it had implemented more stringent regulations for advertising of financial products and services targeting Australians.
Meta announced in October that it had removed 8,000 "celeb bait" adverts in an effort to combat the prevalence of investment frauds involving the exploitation of famous people's likenesses. The action follows a joint effort by Meta and Australian banks to combat this problem.
Advertisers Must Verify Financial Credentials
According to Meta, in order for advertisers to run financial services ads, they must now validate their payer and beneficiary details, as well as their Australian Financial Services License number.
"The introduction of financial advertiser verification is an important additional step towards protecting people in Australia from these sophisticated scammers," stated Will Easton, managing director of Meta ANZ-Insurance.
Following verification, the business stated that advertisers will be required to provide their payer and beneficiary information in their advertising. This information will be displayed in a "Paid for By" disclaimer once the ad is approved.
Broader Regulatory Actions Targeting Tech Platforms
Internet platforms in Australia might have been fined up to five percent of their worldwide income if they failed to take measures to stop the spread of disinformation online, but last month, the center-left government shelved those proposals, per Investing.com.
In the run-up to the federal election in just over a year, the law was a component of a broad regulatory crackdown by Canberra, where politicians have voiced concerns about tech platforms based overseas infringing on the country's sovereignty.
Australia Bans Social Media for Minors Under 16
A landmark rule that prohibits children under the age of 16 from using social media was approved by Australia this week.
