To crack down on fake profiles on matrimonial websites, the government has suggested authentication of profiles through Aadhaar cards.
According to reports, Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi has said that by next year the Aadhaar card authentication will be compulsory for people to enroll in matrimonial websites.
Currently, only mobile number is requirement needed put up profile and an ID proof is not mandatory in any such site. With increasing instances of people being duped by online predators, the matrimonial websites need to take enhanced security measures in order to keep a check on fake profiles and fraud cases. “Making Aadhaar authentication mandatory will keep a check on the fraud cases. It will limit the number of stalkers, serial daters and married men posing as single,” a senior official at the ministry said.
Recently, Bharatmatrimony.com beefed up security measure by starting a system wherein an interested user can have an “online trust badge” and a “professional trust badge” added to his profile by attaching an ID proof like ration card, Aadhaar, educational and salary certificates certificates, etc. “Such profiles get the maximum response. However, making steps compulsory will be difficult, as most users are concerned about privacy,” said Janakiraman Murugavel, Founder & CEO, Bharatmatrimony.com.
Most other matrimonial website owners say security measures will definitely be beefed up, as advised by the ministry, however, making Aadhaar authentication compulsory would be difficult. “If the government makes the Aadhaar card authentication compulsory, we will comply with the rule. But, many people still don’t have their Aadhaar cards, said Anupam Mittal, founder and CEO of People Group, which owns Shaadi.com.
Nilanjan Roy, head (strategy), Times Business Solutions, said that Aadhaar might not be the only solution to prevent fraud cases. Roy highlighted that as there is no centralised database of Aadhaar cards, a user can provide an image of the Aadhaar cardwhich can be easily photoshopped.”
A Delhi police official said that many complaints of men faking their identity on matrimonial websites have been lodged.