The report explores zero-knowledge proof identities, or ZKIs, as a solution for robust online age verification.
Aztec Network recently released its latest paper, “How to Enable Age Verification on the Internet Today Using Zero-Knowledge Proofs”, which emphasised that Zero-Knowledge Proof-based identities (ZKIs) offer a better solution in enabling age checks and protecting minors online.
Written by Aztec’s General Counsels Andre Omietanski and Amal Ibraymi, the paper stated that current age verification systems are often unreliable, being easily bypassed with forged documents or shared credentials.
The methods also raise serious privacy and security concerns, since they require users to disclose personal information, such as ID numbers or financial details. This increases the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and surveillance. Across the UK, EU, US, and Australia, new legislative efforts rely on invasive data collection, risking overreach and burdening businesses.
Zero-Knowledge Identities Explained
Both authors put forth the idea of Zero-Knowledge Identities to prove a statement is true without revealing the underlying data. In the context of age verification, this means a user can confirm they are over 18 without sharing their date of birth.
In the paper, the process starts with a scan of a government-issued ID with a smartphone. Encrypted data from the ID chip is retrieved, and a Zero-Knowledge Identity is generated to prove the user meets the age requirement without exposing unnecessary personal information. This proof is submitted to a website or service, which can verify it without learning anything else about the user.
ZKIs thus maximise privacy by eliminating the need to transmit or store sensitive personal data, and reduces the risk of hacks by avoiding centralised data storage. They also give users more control over their information and help institutions meet regulatory requirements.
“The global debate over online age verification is a signal of a broader tension between safety and civil liberties. Traditional verification methods either fall short technically or compromise user privacy, and often both.” said Omietanski.
“Zero-knowledge proof systems offer a fundamentally new path forward: one where users can prove their age without surrendering their identity. We believe privacy-preserving technologies like ZKPs aren’t just theoretical, they’re necessary infrastructure for a digital society that values both safety and freedom.”
Read the report here.
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