True identity required on matchmaking websites

China's cyberspace watchdog said it has launched a campaign to rid matchmaking websites of fraud and prostitution and enforce real-name registration.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said it has found some people using the matchmaking websites to commit fraud or engage in prostitution and some of those websites would leak users' information or cover up illegal activities.

New users will be required to register using their real name on the matchmaking websites and those who are already registered need to complete their online information, otherwise their account would be removed, the CAC said.

"Whether the real name registration for the matchmaking industry would eradicate violations still needs to be tested over time but it could remind users to protect their private information when registering on these websites," said Shi Xiansheng, the deputy secretary of the Internet Society of China.

Aside from matchmaking websites, the campaign also covers dating websites and public WeChat accounts involved in matchmaking.

The CAC said it will establish a credit mechanism and come up with a database on the matchmaking websites and create a blacklist of those who break the rules.

"Establishing a credit mechanism on the Internet requires the efforts of different departments of government to enhance the public awareness and public supervision," Shi said.

A man surnamed Huang faked his identity as a Chinese-American when he registered on a matchmaking website and swindled a woman of more than 7 million yuan ($1.12 million) who is also a registered user, chinanews.com reported on Friday.

The CAC said it has provided a hotline for the public to report websites which might be involved in illegal activities.

"This campaign could improve the matchmaking industry by weeding out illegal websites or companies in China," jiayuan.com, a popular dating websites with over 120 million people registered in 2014, told Global Times Sunday.

This campaign would protect the rights of users and give them more opportunities to find their "Mr/Ms Right" on the Internet, the website said.