Google embraces zero-knowledge proof tech for enhanced privacy in digital IDs

Google has added Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) technology to its Google Wallet platform to strengthen user privacy in digital identity systems. The company confirmed this feature is active and enables users to verify their age across apps, websites, and devices, without disclosing personal information. According to Google: “We will use ZKP where appropriate in other Google products and partner with apps like Bumble, which will use digital IDs from Google Wallet to verify user identity and ZKP to verify age.” Furthermore, the tech giant has plans to open-source its ZKP tools, allowing other wallet providers and developers to adopt privacy-first authentication systems. This development stems from Google’s effort to create a privacy-preserving identity layer, especially as more online services like dating platforms require age validation. It explained: “Given many sites and services require age verification, we wanted to develop a system that not only verifies age, but does it in a way that protects your privacy.” Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic tools that allow one party to confirm a fact to another without revealing the underlying data. Notably, ZKPs are already used in blockchain ecosystems such as Cardano and Ethereum to enable private transactions, identity verification, and scalable solutions. Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum’s co-founder, has also highlighted their potential in areas like tamper-proof voting, supply chain tracking, and data security. Meanwhile, Google’s adoption of ZKPs has received praise from the crypto community, many of whom see it as validation for a technology long championed in the blockchain space. Rob Viglione, co-founder of Horizen Labs, told CryptoSlate that Google’s move is “a clear signal that privacy-driven innovations are becoming mainstream and that zero-knowledge will become one of crypto’s most transformative use cases [that benefits] everyday users. He added: “It’s exciting to see leading companies recognize that privacy shouldn’t be a luxury or an afterthought; it should be a default.” Source: https://cryptoslate.com/google-embraces-zero-knowledge-proof-tech-for-enhanced-privacy-in-digital-ids/