Google has open-sourced its Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) libraries, delivering on a commitment and leveraging a partnership with Sparkasse to support age assurance within the European Union. This initiative aims to facilitate the development of privacy-enhancing applications and digital identity solutions by developers in both private and public sectors, addressing a pressing demand.
ZKP technology enables individuals to verify a specific claim about themselves without disclosing any additional personal data. For instance, a user accessing a website can confirm they meet an age requirement, such as being over 18, without transmitting other identifying information. The decision to share ZKP with the open-source and cryptography communities underscores a commitment to supporting various stakeholders within the digital ecosystem.
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Web and application users stand to benefit from inhabiting a more private and secure digital environment. Businesses and other organizations, regardless of size, can readily integrate this open-source solution to address their privacy requirements. Developers are provided free access to the ZKP codebase for the construction of privacy-focused applications. Researchers can utilize this ZKP implementation, noted for its efficiency and performance, to aid in the creation of new technological applications and use cases.
The European Union’s eIDAS Regulation, scheduled for implementation in 2026, encourages Member States to incorporate privacy-enhancing technologies, including ZKP, into the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). By making these ZKP tools openly accessible, Google aims to assist Member States in integrating this technology into their forthcoming EUDI Wallets, thereby accelerating their development processes. The ZKP codebase is available for exploration at https://github.com/google/longfellow-zk.
