Google is integrating zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) into its wallet for identity verification. The digital ID will first be available in the United Kingdom, followed by the United States and other countries.
ZKPs allow you to prove statements without revealing the underlying knowledge. They protect privacy by validating age without revealing identity. Crypto projects such as Zcash have considerably advanced ZK technology. It is now used for scalability and privacy both within and outside cryptography. Google's implementation is intended to safeguard user privacy during age verification. The technology will be made available as an open source for other wallets and internet businesses.
Google Wallet's digital ID will be used in several consumer apps. Users can use it to access online health services, authenticate profiles on platforms such as Uber, and even fly domestically in the US with it as their passport. ZK technology has advanced significantly since its launch in the 1980s.
Crypto developers continue to solve difficult cryptographic challenges, making ZKPs more practical and accessible. Google Wallet's integration of ZKPs represents a big step toward the mass use of this privacy-preserving technology. The decision could pave the way for wider adoption of ZKPs across industries.
