The Role of Trust in the Normalization of Digital Payment Platforms in the United States

This study aims at identifying the effects of trust on the uptake and sustenance of digital payments in the United States, using Apple Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay. The study's first chapter presents the concept of digital payments and analyzes how factors like security, privacy, and perceived ease of use influence trust. Research on the topic of trust in digital transactions includes a literature review that seeks to identify the research gaps. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including questionnaires and interviews, to collect data on the perceived level of trust across various platforms. The study outcomes show that security and privacy are paramount in influencing users’ trust, although there are differences in the different groups. Apple Pay places a significant emphasis on security, whereas Google Pay caters to younger users, albeit with some privacy concerns. The discussion brings out the similarities between the findings and prior research and provides recommendations on how digital payment platforms can cultivate and sustain trust. Final is the outline of the implications for digital payment providers and suggestions on further research, emphasizing the importance of privacy and the context-specificity of trust-building procedures.