Determinants of Behavioral Intention to Use a Self-Sovereign Identity Digital Wallet: Extending the UTAUT with Trustworthiness

Abstract

Identity is how humans distinguish themselves from others based on their characteristics and the culmination of their experiences (Stryker & Burke, 2000; Stets & Burke, 2000). Unlike the physical world, the Internet was not created with an identity layer for humans and organizations, so there has been no inherent way to verifiably know who and what Internet users are connecting to or to verifiably identify themselves (Cameron, 2005; Tobin & Reed, 2017). When individuals are online, they are beholden to the services provided by others. In comparison to their offline experiences, this drastically reduces the agency they have over the personal data that comprise their digital identities. This research explored the behavioral intention to use self-sovereign identity, an emerging approach to digital identity using blockchain that can increase control of identity and personal data across the web. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was extended to examine the potential influence of the self-sovereign identity principles and trustworthiness, along with other factors such as perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, on the adoption of this new approach to online identity. Participants had a neutral response to the self-sovereign identity digital wallet that was presented to them but the UTAUT factor, perceived usefulness, and trustworthiness indicators, protection of personal data, and access to personal data, did significantly contribute to behavioral intention to use.