By: Rodrigo Mortara, General Manager of Despapeliza.
Today, waiting in lines at notary offices, printing, photocopying, and paying just to sign represents an inefficiency that Chile can overcome. We have the technology, the regulatory framework, and certified providers to move toward a robust digital ecosystem for the benefit of people.
Even so, thousands continue to spend time and money on in-person procedures that could be resolved in minutes thanks to advanced electronic signatures.
This tool, legally recognized for over a decade and used daily, is synonymous with efficiency, transparency, and respect for everyone’s time. It meets high security standards and guarantees identity, integrity, and traceability in an accessible and reliable manner.
Its benefits are evident: cost savings, increased productivity, elimination of geographical barriers, and reduction of paper use, which also makes it a concrete contribution to sustainability. Currently, digital signatures are neither a luxury nor a passing trend, so the delay in their acceptance raises questions about the reasons behind them. A recent CIPER investigation reveals resistance that, rather than technical, appears to stem from vested interests.
We cannot continue to validate outdated methods that reflect a resistance to progress and impede the incorporation of technologies that democratize access to services. In this situation, it is surprising that, despite having the technology, regulations, and experience to advance, the main barriers remain more cultural than technical. The slow adoption of digital solutions is inconsistent with the level of development and modernization that Chile is poised to achieve.