Fake profiles on marriage websites to draw penalty

Seema Kaul

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 17

Those creating fake profiles or uploading false information on matrimonial websites will now be liable for punishment, as per new guidelines being enforced for marriage portals.

Taking note of several complaints of fraud and misuse of information by users of marriage portals, the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) in its advisory on June 6, has said matrimonial websites are “intermediaries” coming under the purview of the Information Technology Act.

A grievance redress mechanism with contact details of website officials and declaration of matrimonial purpose — distinct from dating — must now be prominently displayed on the websites, under the guidelines issued by DeitY for regulation of all marriage portals.

“Simply put, it means that a woman can complain to the website or directly to the police in case she has been cheated or harassed by another user. Depending on the complaint, action can be taken under relevant sections of IPC for fraud, impersonation or harassment,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Matrimonial websites will have to store IP addresses of created profiles and access logs for up to a year after account deactivation to ensure those who misuse matrimonial portals can be tracked down and punished through their uploaded identity document. “We have asked matrimonial websites to take identity proof when profiles are being registered on the portals,” the official said.