Elisendra Fabrega: Rethinking Digital Signatures and Legal Authorization
Approval, traditionally based upon handwritten signatures, is now uncertain due to the increase of digital formats and the lack of awareness about their legal recognition in court. As a result, users and organizations prefer more user-friendly alternatives such as clicking an acceptance button, ticking a checkbox, scanning, or drawing a signature on a screen. It is essential to highlight that in these cases, although all digital signatures are legally recognized under eIDAS, the distinction between an easy and an innovative electronic signature becomes important. Tools such as timestamping and audit logs that catch relevant details like IP addresses and gadget info will not only help trace who performed the action, when, and under what conditions, but also enhance the signature’s attribution and verifiability. Based on the above, it becomes clear that a simple signature can be reinforced by adding security steps, allowing it to reach the level of an advanced electronic signature. In contrast, an effectively structured digital signature supported by identity verification, timestamps, and immutable and secure records can offer clearer, more unbiased, and tamper-resistant evidence. Looking ahead, it is reasonable to think that this type of digital signature could not just match but even exceed the evidentiary reliability typically associated with handwritten signatures.
As a result, companies and users prefer more easy-to-use alternatives such as clicking an approval button, ticking a checkbox, scanning, or drawing a signature on a screen. It is essential to highlight that in these cases, although all digital signatures are legally acknowledged under eIDAS, the distinction between a basic and an innovative electronic signature becomes important. A checkbox can be ticked by someone other than the genuine owner of the computer system gadget, making it tough to connect the signature to a particular individual or to show the intent behind it. Building Trust in Clicks: Strengthening Digital Authorization Through Style and Evidence Therefore, to enhance the evidentiary strength of a digital signature, it is essential to support it with technical and procedural steps, as it is designing an onboarding process. Tools such as timestamping and audit logs that record appropriate information like IP addresses and gadget details will not just help trace who performed the action, when, and under what conditions, but also strengthen the signature’s attribution and verifiability. Based on the above, it becomes clear that a simple signature can be reinforced by adding security measures, enabling it to reach the level of an innovative electronic signature. In contrast, an effectively structured digital signature supported by identity confirmation, timestamps, and safe and secure and immutable records can offer clearer, more unbiased, and tamper-resistant evidence. Looking ahead, it is sensible to believe that this type of digital signature could not only match but even surpass the evidentiary reliability traditionally attributed to handwritten signatures.
