Problems of digital sustainability

The article introduces digital communication by drawing comparisons between the histories of digital and conventional written communication. It also shows the technical and legal bases and the currently reached achievements. In relation to the technical elements, it acquaints the reader with the development and current effects of computer technology, especially cryptography. In connection with the legal basis, the work presents the regulations which have emerged and made possible the legal acceptance of the digital signature and electronic documents in the United States of America, in the European Union and among certain of its member countries, including Hungary. The article reviews the regulations and the developed practices in the fields of e-commerce, electronic invoices, electronic records management and certain e-government functions in Hungary which are necessary for digital communication. The work draws attention to the importance of secure keeping and processing of electronic documents, which is also enforced by the legal environment. The author points to the technical requirements and practical troubles of digital communication, called digital sustainability