Digitalization and signatures: evidence from a survey among German citizens

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the public awareness among the German population of legal simplifications related to the digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a representative population survey (n = 2,003) in Germany in October 2024. Respondents faced three simple everyday scenarios. Findings One third of participants believe data processing consent forms require a handwritten signature, though the General Data Protection Regulation, introduced in 2016, does not state so. Of the participants, 10%–15% believe newspaper subscriptions and mobile phone contracts may not be terminated via email. Both of which have been legally endorsed in 2016. Women are more likely to provide incorrect answers, all else equal. Employees involved in administrative tasks are more likely to believe that data consent requires a signature, thereby generating excess paperwork. Research limitations/implications This study adopted a single country context, limiting cross-cultural applicability. The survey captures self-reported beliefs and may not fully reflect actual behavior. Practical implications Changes in the law, especially simplifications, should be communicated in an intelligible and targeted fashion. Social implications Changes in the law, especially simplifications, may fail when the citizens are not aware of the changes. Limited public understanding of simplified legal procedures can obstruct digital transformation in everyday interactions. Originality/value The estimates presented in this study help to understand the gap between formal legal change and law in practice by documenting widespread deficits in legal awareness. They highlight that there is a gap between the law on the books and the law in practice.