The European Union is considering the use of zero-knowledge proofs for digital IDs, which would provide a more secure and private way to verify identities. This approach would enable users to prove that they have a particular attribute or qualification, such as being over 18 or having a university degree, without disclosing any other personal information.
According to the press release
“The new eID would allow citizens to identify and authenticate themselves online (via a European digital identity wallet) without having to resort to commercial providers, as is the case today – a practice that raised trust, security and privacy concerns.”
Zero-knowledge proofs are a cryptographic technique that allows a prover to demonstrate knowledge of a particular fact without revealing any additional information beyond what is necessary to prove the fact. This means that users can prove their identity without sharing any personal information with a third party, providing greater privacy and security.
The European Union is exploring the use of zero-knowledge proofs as part of its efforts to create a single digital identity for its citizens. This would enable individuals to access online services and prove their identity across the EU with a single digital ID, rather than needing to provide multiple forms of identification.
While the use of zero-knowledge proofs could provide a more secure and private way to verify digital identities, it also poses challenges in terms of implementation and usability. The technology is still relatively new and there are concerns around its scalability and usability for non-technical users. However, if these challenges can be overcome, zero-knowledge proofs could provide a valuable tool for enhancing digital identity verification and protecting user privacy.
