A layer-one proof-of-stake blockchain, Concordium, has launched a mobile application that allows users to verify their age without disclosing their identity.
According to an announcement shared with Cointelegraph on Tuesday, this new solution—available in the form of an iOS and Android mobile app—uses zero-knowledge proofs (ZK proofs) to enable users to prove their age without revealing their identity.
The app creates a cryptographic ID that can be used for age checks by third-party services. Concordium positions this release as a privacy-friendly alternative to traditional ID-based systems, especially as concerns about government-mandated verification grow.
"The fact is, there has never been a viable age verification system online, leading to fragmented solutions that are, at best, ineffective and, at worst, pose privacy risks," said Concordium CEO Boris Bohrer-Bilowitzki.
Zero-knowledge proofs allow one party to prove they know certain information without disclosing that information. This cryptography is particularly popular among privacy-focused cryptocurrency developers, with Zcash (ZEC) using it for anonymous transfers and the decentralized mixer Tornado Cash used for anonymizing Ethereum transactions (ETH).
A representative from Concordium told Cointelegraph that the service is a consumer mobile app available for download on iPhone and Android devices. Consumers can use the app to create a Concordium ID for about $0.01, which can be used for verification with integrated services.
Concordium states that its app allows for the verification of attributes such as name, date of birth, nationality, and document type. The company claims that, in practice, this information will not be exposed to service providers. Instead, the zero-knowledge proof confirms that the user meets requirements such as being over 18 years old.
This release comes on the heels of the recent controversy surrounding the UK's mandatory online identity checks, which require age verification to view adult content—a definition that is broad and even includes Wikipedia.
Privacy advocates have strongly criticized this measure in the UK, while VPN applications are becoming increasingly popular in the country, with government officials suggesting a crackdown on them. The implementation of the new measures became a mandatory requirement on Tuesday.
The UK's law requiring identity verification to access adult content is technology-neutral. The local communications regulator Ofcom stated in its guidance documents that sharing "adult/18 and over" attributes through a reusable digital identity wallet is an effective implementation method.
This could allow for the use of zero-knowledge proof-based services, as long as they meet Ofcom's "efficient" standards and UK data protection obligations. A Concordium spokesperson told Cointelegraph that the company and its partners "are actively engaging with Ofcom" to discuss their age verification solution.
Interest in zero-knowledge proofs extends beyond crypto projects. Google Wallet, the search giant's payment and digital card management app, announced in late April that it has integrated zero-knowledge proofs for age verification.
"This implementation allows us to provide fast age verification across a wide range of mobile devices, apps, and websites," Google stated.
Related: Opinion: Cryptocurrency can help emerging economies bypass traditional financial constraints
Original article: “Concordium launches anonymous online age verification app in response to UK regulations”
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