The Ministry of Telecom and IT has approved an advisory for matrimonial sites that will require them to authenticate users' copies of identity and address proofs at the time of registering to join matrimonial sites. It will also require them to store the IP address of a profile creator for up to one year after the account is deactivated, reports PTI. The sites will also have to confirm the "user's intent to enter into matrimonial alliance". It's not clear if the same rules apply to existing users and if they'll be asked to submit ID proof. With this, it appears that the government wants to prevent the use of matrimonial sites as dating platforms, put an end to fraudsters misusing the platforms, and prevent posting of obscene materials. Matrimonial sites will have to caution users against fraudulent activities and provide contact details of grievance redressal officers on their platforms. In another related development, the home ministry plans to release a portal named Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC) under the Nirbhaya Fund, developed jointly by the Home and Women & Child Development Ministry to let Indian women post complaints about online harassment. This move came after Maneka Gandhi, the Union Cabinet Minister for Women & Child Development, stated that online abuse and trolling of women in India should be treated as violence against them. Gandhi gave an example of women in online matrimonial ads who were “targeted with dirty calls late at night, harassed and stalked.” Great step towards making matrimonial sites safer. Approved…
