Investment: Internet

The UK’s financial promotions regime is designed to ensure that consumers are provided with clear and accurate information that enables them to make appropriate decisions for their individual circumstances. As a technology-neutral framework, the regime holds financial promotions shared online to the same standards as those shared offline. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is responsible for enforcing the regime and can take action against any financial promotions that are illegal or which do not comply with its rules. This includes the promotion of wealth creation services or products shared online by unauthorised financial influencers.

The FCA has taken action to address influencers sharing unlawful financial promotions. Last month, the FCA led a week of action against illegal financial influencers, which resulted in one guilty plea, 4 targeted warning letters, 34 warning alerts, and 120 takedown requests to social media platforms. This follows a previous international week of action in June 2025.

The sale and promotion of physical property is not generally in scope of financial services regulation, as the provision of physical property is not a financial service. However, the financial promotions regime does apply where investment in property is offered by way of a financial services product. The FCA has issued a warning to consumers about the risks of investing in unlisted loan notes to finance property development.

The Government and Parliament are responsible for establishing the regulatory framework for financial services and the Government engages regularly with the FCA on issues relating to its regulatory perimeter and remit.