NEW DELHI: To hobble matrimonial websites, which display advertisements and content in contravention of the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has constituted an advisory board to look into complaints and penalise the guilty. Many such sites display wrong information to misguide visitors, seek dowry and offer dating services. Online matrimony is booming as spouse-seekers take to the Internet with just a click of the mouse. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Information and Technology laid down various do’s and don’ts for matrimonial websites. Under the new rule, users have to provide true copies of identity and address proof, check posting of obscene material and ensure the sites do not turn out to be dating platforms.
Online matrimony sites, which violate the provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, face Shift Delete. With the new committee in place to check misuse, any designated nodal officer at the state level can approach the Group Coordinator, Cyber Laws and e-security Group to block errant websites. The Act prescribes minimum imprisonment of six months for printing, publishing or circulating misleading advertisements. The Centre’s response came while hearing a PIL regarding certain matrimonial websites, which even allowed advertisements asking for dowry. The Centre has made it mandatory for users of such websites to submit or upload true copies of documents such as identity proof and address for user verification.
Matrimonial websites are termed intermediaries under Section 2 of the Information Technology Act and are mandated to follow the IT Act. Violation will lead to their blocking. Under the new rules, matrimonial websites are required to name a grievances redressal officer on their portals, which will also store the IP address of the profile creator for one year from the date of activation of any new profile.