Telecoms ministers ratify digital signature legislation

NEWS European telecoms ministers have this week approved legislation for EU members to give digital signatures the same legal standing as handwritten signatures. The initial approval was given earlier this year with the plan due to be implemented in 18 months time. Chris Hall, Internet business manager at Dell Computers, said it is good that the groundwork for electronic signatures is being dealt with, but hopes it will not lead to over-policing of the Net. "The Web got where it is today through organic growth so I hope this move doesn't restrain it," he said. However, he was concerned that SMEs are not getting enough help in the field of online transactions, and added: "The government needs to help SMEs get to grips with it all. By doing so, the UK can become Europe's ecommerce leader." Hall said he'd also like to see the same legal applications for the digital documents as for paper-based ones.