Google is introducing a privacy-centric upgrade to its Wallet service, utilizing zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology for age verification, as stated in a release.
The company has partnered with the dating app Bumble, which will be one of the first to implement this new system for user verification by using digital IDs managed through Google Wallet, while ZKPs will manage age verification without revealing sensitive personal data.
This development allows users to confirm their eligibility for certain apps or websites without disclosing their birth dates or private identifying details. ZKP is a significant application for Blockchain technology, yet it has not gained widespread usage beyond specific sectors.
In light of the increasing demand for age verification across various services, such as dating platforms, e-commerce, and social media, Google noted that they aimed to create a system that verifies age while safeguarding user privacy. “We wanted to develop a system that not only verifies age but does so in a method that protects your privacy,” the company stated.
ZKP technology enables individuals to demonstrate a fact (e.g., being over a certain age) without disclosing how they obtained that information or any additional details.
Contrarily, traditional age verification methods often necessitate the exposure of government-issued documents or date of birth, which raises concerns regarding privacy and data security.
This process employs a sophisticated blockchain infrastructure that executes conditions (like age) in an encrypted manner, generates proof, and allows an external entity to verify it using public keys, ensuring confidentiality without revealing the underlying information.
The new feature is now live in Google Wallet and functions across mobile devices and applications through Google’s Digital Credential API, facilitating integration into third-party websites and platforms.
ZK-based tokens have seen a 1.7% increase on average within the last 24 hours, according to CoinGecko’s data. As major companies like Google embrace ZKP technology, this sector could regain interest from investors who have previously overlooked it.
