In India, KYC-based user verification may soon become mandatory on social media, dating apps and online gaming platforms. A Parliamentary committee has made this recommendation to strengthen online security. This proposal has been included in a report on 'Cyber Crime and Cyber Security for Women'.

If the proposal is implemented, users will have to go through the KYC process before opening accounts or logging in. This rule may particularly apply to social media, dating apps and gaming platforms. This step is being considered in light of growing concerns about the safety of women and children on online platforms in recent times.

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Fake accounts a major problem

According to the committee, one of the main reasons for this proposal is the increase in fake accounts. Using such accounts, crimes like fraud, harassment and identity theft are increasing.

In particular, various crimes are occurring through unverified accounts, including cyber stalking, online harassment, and spreading personal photos without permission. Women and children are being harmed more by this. According to the committee, if users' identities can be confirmed, such misuse can be reduced significantly. People will know that their identity can be traced, which will also reduce the tendency to commit crimes.

Proposal for strict age verification

The committee has also said that age verification rules need to be made stricter. Users will have to verify their age when opening accounts and there should also be arrangements for re-verification from time to time. This rule is particularly important for dating and gaming apps, as young users often come into contact with harmful or inappropriate content.

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Punishment for non-compliance

Failure to comply with these rules may result in fines or other punitive measures against the concerned platforms. Additionally, it has been proposed to increase surveillance on accounts that repeatedly break rules. Overall, the parliamentary committee believes that this KYC-based verification could be a major step towards making the online world safer.