According to Cointelegraph, Concordium, a layer-1 proof-of-stake blockchain, has introduced a mobile application designed to verify users' age without disclosing their identity. The app, available for iOS and Android, employs zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) to enable users to confirm their age while maintaining privacy. This innovative solution creates an encrypted ID for age verification on third-party services, presenting a privacy-friendly alternative to traditional ID-based systems amid growing concerns over government-mandated verification.
Concordium CEO Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki emphasized the lack of effective age verification systems on the web, highlighting the privacy risks associated with existing solutions. ZK-proofs, a cryptographic method allowing information verification without disclosure, are popular among privacy-focused cryptocurrency developers. Concordium's app allows users to verify attributes such as name, date of birth, nationality, and document type without exposing this information to service providers. Instead, ZK-proofs confirm compliance with requirements like being over 18.
The launch of Concordium's app coincides with the UK's controversial mandatory online ID checks for age verification to access adult content, which includes a broad range of sites such as Wikipedia. Privacy advocates have criticized these measures, leading to increased VPN usage in the UK. The local communication regulator, Ofcom, has stated that reusable digital ID wallets sharing an "adult/over-18" attribute are valid implementations, potentially allowing ZK-proof-based services if they meet Ofcom's standards and UK data protection duties. Concordium is actively engaging with Ofcom regarding their age verification solutions.
Interest in ZK-proofs extends beyond cryptocurrency projects. Google Wallet, the search giant's payment and digital card management application, integrated ZK-proofs for age verification in April, enabling speedy verification across various mobile devices, apps, and websites. This development underscores the growing adoption of privacy-focused technologies in digital services.