Apkalikov recalled that an electronic signature has the same legal force as a handwritten signature on a paper document.
“An electronic signature is most often used for authorization on Internet sites and portals, and in mobile applications. This type of signature does not allow checking and establishing the absence of changes in the signed electronic document after it has been signed,” he clarified.
The expert also explained that an enhanced unqualified electronic signature (UNEP) makes it possible to detect the fact that changes have been made to an electronic document after it has been signed.
“UNEP, like a simple electronic signature, has legal force when concluding an agreement between participants in electronic interaction. Most often, the use and application of UNEP is limited to a specific system or service and use outside is impossible,” added Apkalikov, director of the SberCorus Certification Center.
Apkalikov said that an enhanced qualified electronic signature is used for the exchange of legally significant documents with counterparties and government agencies, including for submission of mandatory reporting, participation in commercial and government auctions, for registration of tender documentation, for registration of electronic real estate transactions, appeals to courts and use of government services.
“For individuals, services for issuing qualified electronic signature certificates are provided by accredited certification centers - you can contact any nearest one. The list of accredited certification centers is available on the website of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of Russia,” the analyst said.
At the same time, he recalled that heads of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs receive an electronic signature certificate from the Federal Tax Service Certification Center or from its authorized representatives.