Abstract

Mobile cloud computing (MCC) apps are mobile apps that use cloud computing technology to provide larger storage capacity and simultaneous access from different mobile devices. Despite the benefits, sending data to the cloud raises security and privacy concerns as mobile users do not have direct control over their data in the cloud. Further, many MCC apps are not used just after single use. In this study, we do a cost/benefit analysis based on security and privacy to investigate the factors that drive or inhibit mobile users to continue to use MCC apps. Additionally, we examine whether security and privacy interventions of MCC apps providers influence the cost/benefit analysis. The results of the survey with 412 MCC apps users show that while security concerns inhibit, privacy concerns do not stop using MCC apps. The value of MCC apps is the main enabler followed by trust to continue to use the apps. The results also show that security and privacy interventions do not add value to MCC apps, but they increase trust. These interventions decrease privacy concerns but have no effect on security concerns. Finally, these interventions indirectly drive users to continue to use the apps through trust.

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