As Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently explained, ZK technology has exciting possibilities for verifying identity. He pointed out the dangers posed by its implementation. His analysis comes amid growing interest in global digital identity projects, such as the World Project, which utilize ZK-proofs to verify user data without exposing the data itself. Buterin believes that zero-knowledge proofs provide a good solution to identity verification. To avoid the unintended consequences of such well-meaning actions, he argues that we need to think more broadly.
Zero-knowledge proofs enable one party to prove to another that a given statement is correct. They do this without revealing anything at all beyond the veracity of the statement in question. This technology holds a great deal of potential to improve privacy and security in many different applications, including digital identity management. About the World Project The World Project kicked off in May 2023. Its stated aim is to develop a global identity system, issuing every person on earth one unique digital ID. Now running in more than 160 countries, the project uses ZK-proofs to validate the data they collect without exposing individual user information.
To that end, Buterin warns, if you take a hard-line “one ID per person” line, he says, you risk creating too much control. He argues that would limit anonymous involvement in most forms of civic engagement. To minimize these risks, he advocates for a more diverse approach to identity verification. The World Project has been going strong! In fact, more than 20 million users have downloaded the World App, with over 10 million people having successfully used its identity verification services.
In November 2024, the World Project’s native token increased a hundredfold. This $4 billion jump came from the explosive growth of its ID-checking services. This increase is a clear demonstration of the increasing interest and quickly accelerating adoption of decentralized identity solutions. Through zero-knowledge proofs, users can confirm their identity while keeping personal information hidden, improving privacy and security.
Implementation of zero-knowledge proofs would require a complete uprooting of the existing paradigm in which we manage digital identity. Such a change would need to be deeply thought through with respect to the privacy/security/control triangle trade-offs. Buterin's insights highlight the importance of a balanced approach to digital identity, one that leverages the benefits of ZK-proofs while safeguarding against potential risks.
As digital identity solutions are further developed, the growing demand for privacy-preserving technology such as zero-knowledge proofs should not be overlooked. It’s incredibly important to confirm identity without exposing personal details. The unfortunate reality of our world today is that data breaches and privacy violations are more prevalent than ever. The World Project’s application of ZK-proofs brings us one step closer to this goal. We need to address the risks and limitations these systems inherently create.
Buterin’s recent warning should serve as a reminder that technology doesn’t solve everything. We need to be more deliberate than ever about the social and ethical ramifications of any emerging innovation. When creating solutions for digital identity, start with protecting user privacy, security, and control. This holistic approach will affirm everyone’s right to exist without harmful, discriminatory surveillance and control.
