The impact of privacy concerns on the intention for continued use of an integrated mobile instant messaging and social network platform

Abstract

A mobile instant messaging and social network (MIM-SN) app such as WeChat is an instant communication application with integrated social networking features for new-generation smartphones. This study attempts to extend the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model with privacy concerns to explain consumer behaviour in the adoption of MIM-SN apps in China. Through an online survey, 251 valid questionnaires were collected. A partial least squares (PLS) analysis was applied to implement the proposed model and hypothesis testing. The integration of the privacy concerns factor into the UTAUT2 model reduces the effects of performance expectancy and effort expectancy. Compared with UTAUT2, the extended model yields a better explanation for continuance intentions with respect to the adoption of MIM-SN apps in China (89.58%). This study recommends that MIM-SN app service providers should guarantee there are sufficient explicit policies to protect users' privacy.