You might not realize it, but electronic documents (“e-documents”) and electronic contracts (“e-contracts”) are already all around you. In fact, your existing business may already have elements of e-documents in its operations. Official e-documents and e-contracts are, simply put, contracts signed electronically.
Contrary to popular belief, electronic signatures are not limited to your physical signature or handwriting on a screen. According to the Electronic Transactions Act (Cap. 88), which is the law governing electronic signatures in Singapore, a signature can take the following forms:
Clicking the “I Agree” checkbox on the Terms & Conditions on websites. The terms and conditions which pop up on sites you visit are actually contracts which you sign by clicking “I Agree”.
Your typed name at the end of an email. While it may be hard to believe, a simple email signed with your name at the bottom might constitute you forming an e-contract with your correspondent under certain circumstances. Leaving your name at the end of an email alongside your corporate position, sent from your company account can sometimes be equivalent to signing off on a contract. So, when an employee reports sick, approval of his or her leave of absence via email constitutes official documentation.
Your typed initials. Typing out your initials to sign off on an e-document like an email may also result in the formation of a legally significant document.
Mouse scribbles on a screen. The scribbles you sign off using a mouse can also constitute a signature approving an electronic document.
Hand-signatures created on tablet using your finger or stylus. Signing off on a delivery man’s iPad when you receive a parcel constitutes an electronic signature.
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