Dating websites can prevent tragedies by being honest about their loopholes

POPULAR DATING WEBSITES such as Jiayuan and Baihe have scores of loopholes in information scrutiny and real-name registration, which some registered "singles" have exploited to cheat partner-seekers. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

The exposure of various supervisory loopholes on dating websites came shortly after a Beijing-based technology entrepreneur committed suicide, which he said had a lot to do with his "vicious" former wife. In a suicide note the 37-year-old accused his former wife, whom he had met on Jiayuan, of lying about her previous marriage and threatening to disclose his possible tax evasion.

His tax issue aside, it is possible that his ex-wife concealed certain facts, including her marital history. The dating website, too, failed to verify her registration as a VIP member - a key indicator of decent educational background or financial capability. The membership, which costs one just 16 yuan ($2.49) to obtain, does not guarantee the authenticity of the applicants' information.