Zero Knowledge

Solving The Privacy Problem

Find out how zero knowledge helps in transforming Web 2.0

Privacy in the Digital Age

A Private Data Economy

Zero Knowledge

Transforming Web 2.0 With Zero Knowledge

The Evolution in Privacy

Proving the truth of something without having to reveal why it is true can be a powerful primitive and opens many new uses cases for applications never thought possible. With zero knowledge, the core functions of the internet can be used more powerfully by both end users and developers. On one hand, end users can interact more intimately with applications without leaving the slightest trace of private data. On the other hand, developers can build truly personalized applications without being confronted with the risks of managing user data.

The New Web

A Fully Private Data Economy

In the new data economy that is shaped by hyper-personalized but truly private web experiences, web users become the “provers” while services take on the role of “verifiers.” Zero Knowledge introduces a tool for creating applications with unlimited potential.

Real-Life Examples for Zero Knowledge Use Cases

Authentication.

User Login

By utilizing Aleo and the zero knowledge proofs it provides, web developers are able to allow users to log in to their apps without proving who they are. Gone will be the times when users had to reveal their email and password to log in. Instead of verifying the accuracy of the login data by checking entries in a database operated by the service provider, the login data is verified locally in the end user’s device. The application then receives a confirmation that the login data is correct but does not know which user initiated the login request.

Creditworthiness.

Credit Scores

The current process of applying for a loan requires applicants to share extensive details about their financial situation. Based on this data, credit institutions create a credit score of the applicant that indicates if they are eligible for a credit or not. With zero knowledge, applicants no longer need to reveal anything about their financial situation. Instead, a zero knowledge proof is utilized to verify if the applicant’s credit score qualifies them for a loan or not – all without initiating a hard inquiry potentially hurting the applicants credit score.

Validation.

Insurance Claims

Zero knowledge proofs can be used to review, verify, and approve insurance claims without exposing other parts of the insurance identity. This can help the insured to avoid exposing their entire insurance history, which may provide insurers with unethical reasons to deny insurance claims.

Verification.

Identify Verification

Users of Aleo’s zero knowledge proofs can prove relevant facts about their identity without exposing their identity or running risk of having their personal data stolen. This enables individuals to prove specific aspects, having reached a certain age limit, without exposing where they live or how old they are.

Integration of Zero Knowledge

Barriers to Adopting Zero Knowledge Proofs

Despite their powerful use case, zero knowledge proofs are not yet integrated into existing Web 2.0 applications. One reason for this is that applying zero knowledge by means of cryptography have only recently – with the advent of blockchain technology – become practical.

Another reason for the lack of adoption lies in the cost of generating zero knowledge proofs. To date, the cost is still expensive – when compared to how things are done traditionally.

The few existing solutions are not only relatively expensive but also slow and not user friendly. Considering that most web users would not accept a slower, more expensive, and less efficient way of doing things, it is understandable that Web 2.0 companies are hesitant about implementing zero knowledge protocols. Consequently, a solution that helps users to preserve their privacy by giving them more control over how their data is shared has to be able to compete with (or outperform) existing Web 2.0 solutions by default. Otherwise, it will not be adopted.

To accelerate the integration of zero knowledge into the applications of the future, Aleo was founded in 2019. Thanks to Zexe – Aleo’s zero knowledge solution – there are no longer performance tradeoffs between traditional protocols and zero knowledge proofs.

Summary

With the aid of zero knowledge cryptography, web users can access the rich features of the internet without sacrificing their privacy. Instead of trying to reinvent the internet, Aleo is designed to seamlessly integrate into the existing internet. Doing so enables developers to design new applications on the existing infrastructure that users are familiar with.

Zero knowledge cryptography empowers users to regain sovereignty over their privacy and puts power back into the hands of web users instead of corporate monopolies that currently govern it.

Aleo is a movement that not only enables users to own their data but empowers them to reclaim their digital identity, giving them the power to decide what to share about themselves and with whom.

Here’s to a more private, personalized, and truly fulfilling online experience!

Zero Knowledge

The Future of Zero Knowledge