A few weeks ago, I wrote about how we’re heading toward a new model of digital identity—one that protects user privacy while enhancing security. At the time, the solution felt like a future vision. Today, it’s a reality.

Google has officially integrated zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) into Google Wallet, allowing users to verify their age and eligibility without sharing sensitive personal information. This is not only a technical breakthrough; it’s a strategic move that redefines how digital verification can and should work in a fraud-aware world.

What Are Zero-Knowledge Proofs?

In simple terms, a zero-knowledge proof is a cryptographic method that allows one party (the prover) to prove to another (the verifier) that a given statement is true—without revealing any additional information. For instance, proving you are over 18 without sharing your actual birth date, name, or any document.

Originally adopted in blockchain protocols like Zcash or StarkNet, ZKPs have found their way into the mainstream, and Google is now leading the charge by applying this technology in real-world use cases like identity verification.

Why Google’s Move Matters

With this launch, users in the U.S. and the U.K. can now verify their age on platforms like Bumble or claim transport discounts without exposing personal data. Google Wallet creates a cryptographic “pass” based on an official ID, but the app doesn’t share that ID with the third party—just the outcome: “Yes, this person is eligible.”

From a fraud prevention perspective, this changes everything:

• Lower data exposure reduces the risk of phishing, impersonation, or database leaks.
• Fewer centralized storage points means fewer attack surfaces.
• Users remain in control, which aligns with modern data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

This implementation is particularly relevant in an era where digital identity fraud is rising and social engineering attacks often rely on leaked personal data.

Other Players in the ZKP Identity Ecosystem

Google is not alone in this shift. Several projects and platforms have been building ZKP-based or privacy-centric identity frameworks:

• Polygon ID: A decentralized ID platform using ZKPs to let users prove facts without revealing personal data.
• Microsoft Entra Verified ID: Focuses on decentralized identifiers (DIDs), where control is user-centric.
• Worldcoin: Controversial but ambitious, using ZKPs and biometric proof to build a global ID system.
• W3C Verifiable Credentials and frameworks like Veramo: Offer flexible standards for privacy-preserving credentials, sometimes combined with ZKPs.

What This Means for the Future of Fraud Detection

As fraud specialists, we must be prepared to adapt to a future where traditional document-based KYC becomes obsolete. Systems like Google Wallet with ZKPs may soon replace the need for centralized document storage or repeated ID checks.

We’re entering a world where:

• Users prove eligibility without exposure.
• Companies minimize liability by not handling sensitive data.
• Fraud detection must evolve, focusing more on behavioral signals and transaction patterns than static personal identifiers.

This is a huge opportunity for risk professionals to rethink how we design controls. If used wisely, ZKPs could help us build more resilient, privacy-first verification systems—exactly what’s needed in a landscape where identity fraud is both sophisticated and costly.

Final Thoughts

What Google has done is more than just a tech upgrade. It’s a strategic signal. The future of fraud prevention and digital verification lies not in collecting more data—but in proving more while revealing less.

If your organization is still relying on legacy verification processes, now is the time to explore privacy-preserving alternatives. Zero-knowledge proofs are no longer theoretical—they’re live, real, and changing the way trust is built online.