“Industry reacts as FCA probes 20 social media influencers”

Oct 23, 2024 | Financial Services

An independent (financial adviser’s) view

‘Influencers’ are a big thing these days. Build yourself a following on social meed-ja (or be a celeb of some kind and do the same), get an agent and promote stuff for companies. Far more chance of reaching, for instance, the Gen-something demographic, who won’t see or hear ads on subscription TV/radio/streaming. The Kardashians made a bit of their fortunes this way, and if you’re selling anything, the good news it that it’s still pretty much the Wild Wild West out there on the internet. Your influencers’ opinions are supposedly their own so you can guarantee your new moisturiser will take 30 years off a vain 70-year-old’s face and no-one will bat a saggy eyelid. You could similarly guarantee that the latest get-rich-quick scheme, investing in Venezuelan carbon futures (made that up, so send no money), will make a fortune at no risk, credit card details here, as the FCA has now realised. I guess there are actual people to regulate, so probably easier than a virtual crypto company. But still not easy, I’d say. 

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