Digitale handtekening binnenkort rechtsgeldig?

Venator schrijft: "Aanstaande vrijdag verschijnt er een wetvoorstel voor de Amerikaanse senaat waardoor het mogelijk wordt (bij goedkeuring) dat een electronische handtekening net zo rechtsgeldig wordt als de geschreven variant.":

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Business executives will be able to close major deals without going to the office and consumers should be able to buy a car without ever facing a salesman under legislation on ``electronic signatures'' moving through Congress.

The legislation makes one's name typed into a computer as legally binding as that scribbled on a piece of paper.

The bill would also allow businesses, with the consent of consumers, to provide contracts and other legal documents to their customers electronically, rather than on paper through the mail.

The legislation passed the House Wednesday by 426-4, and could come up in the Senate on Friday. It is strongly backed by President Clinton, who said in a written statement that ``it will encourage the information technology revolution that has helped lower inflation, raise productivity and spur new research and development.''