Questions Surrounding Compliance and Anonymous Posts
By US~Observer Staff
The US~Observer is raising critical questions about Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance, two leading financial message boards where anonymous posters target biotech companies with negative claims. Investors rely on these platforms for insights, but what happens when unverified users post potentially misleading information? Are the compliance departments equipped to handle reports of abuse? And could leadership—Yahoo’s CEO Jim Lanzone and Stocktwits’ CEO Rishi Khanna, along with their deputies Tapan Bhat and Ian Rosen—be overlooking issues that enable market manipulation? This article explores the challenges of contacting compliance, the role of anonymous posters, and the implications of SEC Rule 10b-5, seeking answers for investors and companies alike.
Why Are Compliance Departments So Hard to Reach?
Investors trying to report problematic posts on Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance often hit a wall. Users across message boards describe unresponsive support and ineffective moderation, raising questions about platform oversight:
Yahoo Finance: A 2022 Reddit post suggested using the “Contact Us” form for message board issues, but no users confirmed resolution. In 2023, Reddit called Yahoo’s customer service “a black hole,” with no replies to queries. InvestorsHub in 2024 noted reporting spam feels like “shouting into the void—no acknowledgment, no action.” Twitter/X users in 2024–2025 tagged @YahooFinance about unmoderated posts, getting no response. Why is there no dedicated compliance contact? Are complaints being prioritized?- Stocktwits: Users report a generic support email and a “Report Abuse” tool that fails to act. Reddit in 2024 flagged pump-and-dump posts that lingered despite reports, with no support reply. Twitter/X in 2025 called the report button “useless.” Seeking Alpha in 2024 said, “Contacting anyone at Stocktwits is like pulling teeth.” Why are flagged posts ignored? Is compliance understaffed or deliberately hands-off?
Yahoo Finance: A 2022 Reddit post suggested using the “Contact Us” form for message board issues, but no users confirmed resolution. In 2023, Reddit called Yahoo’s customer service “a black hole,” with no replies to queries. InvestorsHub in 2024 noted reporting spam feels like “shouting into the void—no acknowledgment, no action.” Twitter/X users in 2024–2025 tagged @YahooFinance about unmoderated posts, getting no response. Why is there no dedicated compliance contact? Are complaints being prioritized?These barriers prompt a deeper question: Are Jim Lanzone and Tapan Bhat at Yahoo Finance, and Rishi Khanna and Ian Rosen at Stocktwits, aware of these issues? If not, why do they persist?
Companies Targeted by Anonymous Posters
The US~Observer has conducted extensive research on numerous companies under attack by people or entities posting negative information about them. Companies we found to be legitimate and the claims about them false are enVVeno Medical Corporation (NVNO), Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA), Vaxart, Inc. (VXRT), Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (INO) and Anixa Biosciences, Inc. (ANIX).
Who Are the Anonymous Posters, and What Are Their Motives?
We found Anonymous users on Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance posted negative claims about these biotech companies, often without disclosing financial stakes. A small sampling of their usernames and platforms include:
- Yahoo Finance:
- Tom: Posted multiple claims about a biotech being a “scam.”
- Jay: Echoed negative narratives.
- Nayan D, Old Dude, jovani, d, Earl: Criticized financials or leadership without transparency.
- Stocktwits:
- Chaco14, JOBIN_Nighthawk, Rideabull, Stmkr, justkidding, Searchingforthecure: Posted bearish or critical comments.
- Shawntheross: Targeted two companies’ leadership.
What really motivates these posters? Are they retail investors, short-sellers, or competitors? SEC Rule 10b-5 requires disclosing material financial interests, like short or long positions, when making market-moving statements. Are these users complying, and are platforms enforcing this rule? A 2023 Forbes article noted that lax oversight on investing platforms can fuel misinformation, so why aren’t Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance requiring more transparency? Why would someone need to use an Anonymous name if their information was true? The answer is very simple, they would not need to use Anonymity. Something motivates the Anonymous attackers and that something is certainly financial!
Is Leadership Enabling Potential Manipulation?
Under Lanzone and Khanna, with Bhat and Rosen overseeing operations, Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance host thousands of posts daily. Yet, user complaints suggest moderation is lacking. A 2024 InvestorsHub post and 2025 Twitter/X feedback highlight persistent spam and abuse, unaddressed by compliance. Are these leaders prioritizing user engagement over investor protection? Could their policies—or lack thereof—enable posts that violate SEC rules?
What’s at Stake for Investors and Companies?
Biotech companies targeted by anonymous posts face potential stock price volatility, which can hinder funding for life-saving therapies. These companies’ reputations are greatly affected. Investors, meanwhile, risk being misled by unverified claims. Are Stocktwits and Yahoo Finance doing enough to protect their users? Could better compliance systems prevent harm? The US~Observer is investigating who these posters are, their motives and we invite readers to share their insights with us.
Editor’s Note: We have only hit on the tip of the iceberg. The US~Observer’s investigation into false information is barely getting underway yet yielding alarming results. If you have any information on the underhanded tactics being used to discredit legitimate companies, contact us by phone at 602-960-4609 or by sending an email. Help us clean this mess up and in so doing, you are a part of protecting legitimate companies and above all, investors and their hard-earned money.
