PalmTop offers legally binding E-signatures

mulan writes "Following the approval of S.761 (Millennium Digital Commerce Act), PalmTop has released software which will do just that. Using a Palm app and a Windows-based conduit, digital documents may be legally signed via the Palm device. Pricipal markets include online vendors. This could also help reduce fruadulant credit card transactions on the Internet. " It's not just PalmPilots either - custom solutions are/will be supported, including IBM's WorkPad. However, until Oct. 31, you can get free copies for the Palm (OS3 or better).

Comments

How secure is it anyway?

[Anonymous Coward]

One question: why?

With all the devices out there not requiring any signature (gas pumps), not requiring validation of ID or signature (grocery store) or any proof that you are who you say you are - what's the use or the value of a written signature anyway these days?

According to the local police, a ring of credit card thieves moved into this area recently. They would get the card numbers (trash, receipts, etc.) and make mail-orders for goods that they could later sell (sports shoes, car parts). They would ship UPS to the card user's home address, then call up UPS and ask if they could pick up the order at the UPS station instead. They would go in and "sign" for the goods and be well on thier way before anyone was the wiser.

In no case was there any validation of signature in this process. And who was going to be expert enough to "validate" it if there were? In these days of credit and debit cards, a written signature is an anachronism.

Now, an electronic binary signature (public key anyone?) would be interesting.

Just rambling,

-bill rankin

This could change our lives...

[Robotech_Master]

Ten years down the road..."

"Omigod! You're Mel Gibson! Can I...can I get your autograph?"

"Why, sure."

(fumbling with Palms)
beep!

"Wow, thanks! I'll...never erase this!"