Law against misrepresenting academic credentials online?
Shweta Nandini
(Querist) 27 October 2013
This query is : Resolved
While looking for new interns on the internet for our company, we came across some people putting up fake credentials on their profiles in websites like linkedin and facebook. They put up names of colleges they never studied in and degrees that they never earned. While their resume that they personally submitted to us turned out to be a bit different.
Although we on our level can handle such misrepresentations and we can select individuals based on their actual resumes. But these fake online credentials can pose a serious risk of fraud in matters like matrimony etc.
My question is: Is there any law in India against putting up fake credentials online? Can the institute or college, whose name has been fraudulently used by the person in their online profile, take any action against that person to have their college name removed from their profiles?
Thanks in advance.
P. Venu
(Expert) 27 October 2013
The information put up on Social websites are meant for social interaction. If people falsify or exaggerate, such persons could be avoided for serious engagements. But no civil or criminal liability could be fastened, in the normal course, on such persons or the website.
Rajendra K Goyal
(Expert) 28 October 2013
Till no specific law available for the purpose mentioned by you.
Devajyoti Barman
(Expert) 28 October 2013
Please elaborate how do you come across such misrepresentation.
The mode of misrepresentation decides applicability of legal proceeding, if any.
More online posts with misleading facts may not attract prosecution.
Shweta Nandini
(Querist) 28 October 2013
Thank you all for very helpful replies.
Devajyoti Ji, we use linkedin network to aid in recruitment. My question is not on behalf of our company since we can pretty much handle such misrepresentations on our own level, my question is on a more general level because such misrepresentations can pose serious risks of fraud in many areas. Can the college/institute whose name has been used by the person in the fake credentials in his online profile take any action against that person since he is putting up the college name even though he did not earn any degree from that college.
Thank you.
Devajyoti Barman
(Expert) 28 October 2013
If you not facing any problem then why are you putting this question?
We do not reply to address general apprehension not specifically faced by one.
malipeddi jaggarao
(Expert) 29 October 2013
As you are capable enough to deal such situations, you should believe others are also equally capable if they require to enter into serious deals. No educational institution can develop such mechanism to identify the misrepresentations and take action. However, the affected party who lead himself/herself by such misrepresentations can definitely take action. As Mr.Barman told, there are no ready made solutions for mere general apprehensions.
