(2025). Digitalization and Signatures: Evidence from a Survey among German ConsumersMax Planck Institute for Innovation & Competition Research Paper No. 25-05.
We assess the knowledge of two legal norms central to the digital transformation of the German population in representative population survey: the revised requirements for handwritten signatures in specific contracts (effective since 2016) and the GDPR consent form. Participants responded to scenarios from three everyday contexts, determining whether a handwritten signature was necessary. We document a profound lack of knowledge regarding these norms. For none of the questions do we find more than 70% correct answers. The lack of knowledge may translate into excess bureaucratic burden inflicted on others, especially if the uninformed work in administrative roles. Our findings suggest that legal unawareness undermines the potential of digital transformation by deterring the adoption of simplified, legally sound practices in daily life. We recommend targeted, accessible information campaigns to address these gaps, tailored to the needs of specific demographic groups.
