Matrimony sites cry foul over identity proof norm

Players in the matrimony market are crying foul over the government's proposal to make prospective brides and grooms submit id and address proof before registering on matrimonial websites. Several matchmaking portals like Bharatmatrimony, Jeevan Saathi and Shaadi are now staring at a dip in global users.
“Over 7,000-8,000 profiles are uploaded on our website every day . It is practically impossible to physically verify such persons or digitally map their identities.If we have to implement what the ministry of women and child development (WCD) is proposing, it will defeat the purpose of the internet as a model,“ said the strategy head of a matrimony website. Telecom companies and banks are required to follow know your customer (KYC) norms as a practice to counter terrorism and moneylaundering. Expecting the matrimony market to implement such norms, however, is discriminatory , the industry believes.
While the country goes `gung ho' about Digital India, online matchmakers believe this is not the way to go for their market. “This move can open a can of worms.Anybody can start a matrimony site, collect such proofs and use them for nefarious acts,“ said another player. Several online matchmaking sites have bemoaned the government's proposal, calling it retrograde and short-sighted.
“My parents have created a profile for me. I also have multiple profiles just to get a feeler of the responses I could get," said Karthik, a user. While sites claim to have several security measures such as phone verifica tion and fraud analytics, the very purpose of such sites demands a strong system of checks and balances to be in place. “I am looking for a prospective lifelong partner for my daughter. Insisting on an id proof will raise the trust levels by a great measure," said Narayanan, another user.
The number of cybercrimes reported form a minuscule percentage of the millions of profiles uploaded on such websites and play ers say it is a case of misplaced priorities. “Cyber crime can arise out of several instances. Social media and e-commerce transactions are major contrib utors. With people buying products online right from a toothbrush to a car, is the government asking for id proof for such transactions,“ questioned another source.
Should the mandate be enforced, players are expecting a significant drop in registrations on their websites and, consequently , a dip in choices available for the existing profiles.