Digital Signature Bill OKd

The House of Representatives voted 356 to 66 to approve controversial legislation allowing electronic approvals, or “digital signatures,” to substitute for written signatures on contracts. The White House would probably veto the proposal, which it said would reduce consumer rights, but the legislation could be changed after the Senate passes its version. Digital signatures include an array of technologies that rely on passwords, encrypted codes or other electronically transmittable means to verify a person’s identity online.