Safeguarding Electronic Signatures in Jordan: Legal Foundations and Enforcement Challenges

Abstract

This study examines Jordan’s legal framework for protecting electronic signatures, focusing on the Electronic Transactions Law No. 29 of 2015 and the Cybercrimes Law No. 17 of 2023. The Electronic Transactions Law establishes technological neutrality by defining electronic signatures as data affixed to digital records and criminalizes fraudulent certificate creation and unauthorized disclosure of signatory secrets. The Cybercrimes Law complements these provisions by treating electronic signatures as part of broader “data,” thereby criminalizing hostile interference -such as malware insertion, data theft, and unauthorized use- targeting signature-related information. Comparative insights from the UAE and Indonesia highlight common challenges in balancing security, enforcement capacity, and public awareness. Key enforcement gaps include under-resourced digital-forensics infrastructure, undefined criteria for “specialized judges,” and low public understanding of certification requirements. The paper recommends statutory amendments to explicitly reference electronic signatures in the Cybercrimes Law, enhanced forensic and judicial training programs, and targeted public‐awareness campaigns. By aligning intent thresholds, scaling penalties, and improving implementation capacity, Jordan can ensure that its legal regime sustains trust, identity verification, and transactional security in e-commerce.