TNN | Nov 19, 2015, 05.38 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Faced with increasing complaints related to fake online profiles, stalking and harassment by "prospective grooms'', the government plans to bring in guidelines to rein in matrimonial websites. An inter-ministerial panel has been set up to prepare a draft within a fortnight. Among the issues that the committee is expected to address include mandating identity proof that is verifiable and establishing a grievance redressal mechanism.
Women and child development secretary V Somasundaran chaired a meeting on Tuesday on the issue with representatives from the department of electronics and IT and the home ministry. "We have been receiving a lot of complaints about fraud being committed by men posing as prospective grooms. We would like these websites to put in place certain mechanisms that ensure that users can verify the identity given online before they commit to further communication,'' an official said.
Websites will also be asked to establish a grievance redressal mechanism. Other suggestions include adding a cautionary note asking users to verify the information provided from secondary sources.
The inter-ministerial panel includes representatives from the ministries of WCD, IT and home affairs besides three members from the industry. "We expect a first draft within the next 15 days. It will be reviewed and if it meets the concerns of all stakeholders, the IT ministry will notify it under the Information Technology Act," the official said.
WCD minister Maneka Gandhi is very keen to introduce some checks on matrimonial websites. The ministry has suggested that websites ask prospective grooms to submit a reliable form of identification like an Aadhaar card or PAN card to begin with.
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In a meeting with matrimonial websites earlier, the ministry had sought to know the steps taken by them to ascertain the users' identity. "The ministry wanted to know if the websites were aware of what the men were doing on the websites. It was felt that due diligence was not being done and that people were able to get away with false identities," a source said. As of now, only a mobile number is required to register with these sites.
However, websites too realize that they would lose business if they do not adhere to these suggestions. Online marriage websites are a huge draw, hosting millions of profiles. Matrimonial websites had earlier expressed reservations about putting either of these suggestions in practice. They say privacy is a concern among those using the website and details like Aadhaar or PAN card could be misused. They also said making any of these documents mandatory would not stop "exploitation" or stalking of women.