# *UK RISHTA*
## *PUBLIC PROTECTION DEPARTMENT POLICY*
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### *A Message from the Head of Vetting*
“At UK Rishta, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to find love — but not at the expense of their safety. Our Public Protection Department exists for one reason: to ensure that every person on our platform is exactly who they say they are.
In an age of AI deception, romance scams, and fake profiles, we refuse to compromise. We vet every single member. We verify every identity. We protect every user.
Our vetting standards are modelled on those used by UK police forces, including the College of Policing and West Midlands Police. We believe that if these standards are good enough to protect the public through policing, they are good enough to protect people seeking love.
This is not just a policy. This is our promise.”
*Tanya Singh*
Head of Vetting & Public Protection
UK Rishta
## *1. WHO WE ARE*
UK Rishta is a verified matchmaking platform dedicated to helping individuals find genuine, long-term relationships leading to marriage. Unlike traditional dating apps, we do not rely solely on algorithms. We combine human expertise with rigorous verification to create a safe, trusted environment for meaningful connections.
Our platform serves members based in the *United Kingdom only*, ensuring we can fully verify each applicant through official UK documentation and background checks.
*Our Core Values: *
– *Honesty* — We operate with full transparency
– *Integrity* — We do what is right, even when no one is watching
– *Family* — We treat every member as if they were our own
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## *2. THE PUBLIC PROTECTION DEPARTMENT*
The Public Protection Department is the backbone of UK Rishta’s commitment to safety. Our department operates independently from the matchmaking team to ensure *impartiality, thoroughness, and accountability*.
*Our Mission: *
To protect every member of UK Rishta — and the wider public — from fraud, deception, and harm by maintaining the highest standards of identity verification and background screening.
*Our Responsibilities: *
– Verifying the identity and background of every applicant
– Conducting enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks
– Confirming immigration and residency status
– Reviewing applications against our exclusion criteria
– Continuously monitoring for fraudulent activity
– Updating policies in line with emerging threats (including AI-generated content and deepfakes)
## *3. THE VETTING TEAM*
Our Vetting Team consists of trained professionals who specialise in identity verification, background screening, and fraud detection.
*What Makes Our Team Different: *
– We work as a *unified team*, not as isolated individuals
– Every application is reviewed by multiple team members
– We cross-reference documentation against official databases
– We stay updated on the latest scam tactics and AI deception techniques
*Our Commitment: *
No profile is activated until it has been *fully vetted and approved* by the Public Protection Department.
## *4. HOW WE VET MEMBERS*
Every applicant must complete the following verification process before their profile can be activated:
### *Step 1: Identity Verification*
– Valid *UK Passport* or *UK Driving Licence*
– Proof of current UK address (utility bill, bank statement, or council tax bill dated within 3 months)
### *Step 2: Immigration & Residency Confirmation*
– For non-British citizens: *Proof of visa status* and right to remain in the UK
– We verify all documentation against official records
### *Step 3: Enhanced DBS Check*
– All applicants must provide a *DBS Certificate dated within 3 months*
– We review all disclosed information carefully
– Certain offences will result in *automatic exclusion* (see Section 5)
### *Step 4: Profile Review*
– All profile information is reviewed for accuracy and authenticity
– We reserve the right to request additional documentation or video verification
– Profiles with inconsistencies or suspected AI-generated content will be rejected
### *Step 5: Activation*
– Once all checks are complete and approved, the member’s profile is activated
– Members are notified via email and can begin their search for a genuine match
#### *3. HATE CRIMES & DISCRIMINATORY OFFENCES*
Any conviction, caution, or pending charge relating to:
– Racially motivated offences
– Religiously motivated offences
– Homophobic, transphobic, or disability-related hate crimes
– Any offence aggravated by hostility based on protected characteristics
– Membership of or active support for proscribed hate groups or terrorist organisations
*Why zero tolerance: * UK Rishta serves a diverse community. Hatred and discrimination have no place on our platform.
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### *MERIT-BASED REVIEW: ALL OTHER OFFENCES*
For offences *not* falling within the three automatic disqualification categories above, the Public Protection Department will conduct a *merit-based review*. This means we assess each case individually, taking into account:
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*Factors We Consider: *
| Factor | What We Look At |
|——–|—————–|
| *Nature of the Offence* | What was the offence? How serious was it? Was there a victim? |
| *Time Elapsed* | How long ago did the offence occur? Has sufficient time passed to demonstrate change? |
| *Age at Time of Offence* | Was the applicant a juvenile? Young adults may be viewed differently from mature adults. |
| *Pattern of Behaviour* | Is this a one-off incident or part of a repeated pattern? Multiple offences raise greater concerns. |
| *Circumstances* | What were the circumstances surrounding the offence? Were there mitigating factors? |
| *Sentence & Outcome* | What was the court’s judgement? Was it a caution, fine, community service, or custodial sentence? |
| *Evidence of Rehabilitation* | Has the applicant demonstrated genuine change? Are there references, courses completed, or community contributions? |
| *Character Assessment* | What do references say? What is the applicant’s current lifestyle and behaviour? |
| *Honesty & Disclosure* | Did the applicant voluntarily disclose the offence? Failure to disclose is treated very seriously. |
| *Risk to Members* | Ultimately: does this person pose any risk to the safety and well-being of our members? |
*Examples of Offences Subject to Merit-Based Review: *
– Theft or shoplifting
– Criminal damage
– Drug possession (personal use)
– Driving offences (not involving injury)
– Public order offences
– Minor fraud or dishonesty (not romance scams)
– Historic offences from many years ago
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*Possible Outcomes of Merit-Based Review: *
- *Approved* — The applicant is accepted, and their profile can be activated
MUST READ — IMPORTANT
- Approved
The applicant is accepted, and their profile can be activated.
Merit-Based Approval — Transparency Consent Requirement:
Where an applicant has been approved following a merit-based review (i.e., the applicant holds historical convictions that have been assessed and deemed low-risk based on character evidence, rehabilitation, and time elapsed), the following conditions apply:
The applicant must sign a Transparency Consent Agreement before their profile is activated.
This agreement authorises UK Rishta to disclose relevant DBS information only to individuals they connect with on the platform, upon that person’s request.
The applicant’s profile will display that they have passed verification via a Merit-Based Review, indicating that additional information is available upon request.
This information is not publicly visible — it is shared only with individuals who request it directly from UK Rishta.
If the applicant refuses to sign the Transparency Consent Agreement, their application will be declined. This is non-negotiable, as it would enable dishonesty and withholding of material information from potential matches.
Rationale: This policy upholds our core values of honesty, integrity, and informed consent. If we have deemed someone safe to join the platform, they should have no concerns about transparency with those they wish to connect with.
*Approved with Conditions* — The applicant is accepted but may be subject to additional
monitoring or restrictions
MUST READ — IMPORTANT
Approved with Conditions
The applicant is accepted but may be subject to additional monitoring or restrictions.
Any person who interacts with an individual approved under this category must be fully aware of the conditions imposed and the reasons behind the merit-based approval. You also have a duty of care and responsibility — both to others and to yourself.
If at any point you feel that the person you are talking to or interacting with is causing concern for your safety, or if their behaviour feels inappropriate, threatening, or makes you feel scared, you must: Public Protection
Contact UK Rishta’s Vetting Department immediately and inform us of your fears or concerns.
If the matter goes beyond UK Rishta’s powers, contact your local police authority directly and report the inappropriate behaviour or any threats to them.
Inform UK Rishta so we remain fully aware of what is happening. This allows us to take the necessary steps — whether that means investigating further or removing the individual from our platform with immediate effect until a decision is reached regarding the concern or any law enforcement investigation.
Why This Matters:
This policy exists to protect everybody. If concerns are not reported or picked up, the risk to everyone else is greater. We can only work with individuals if they openly work with us.
Just as policing in the UK operates with the consent of the public — the police is the public and the public is the police — UK Rishta’s Matchmaking Hub and Safety Platform works on the same principle: with the consent and cooperation of our community.
- *Deferred* — More information is required before a decision can be made
- *Rejected* — The application
Policy Effective Date: 1st January 2026 Version: 1.0 Next Review Date: 1st January 2027