Google is introducing a privacy-enhanced upgrade to its Wallet service that leverages zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology for age verification, according to an official announcement. The company indicated that dating app Bumble, among others, will be among the first partners to adopt this system. Bumble will utilize digital IDs issued via Google Wallet for user authentication, while ZKPs will manage the verification of users’ ages. This approach enables users to demonstrate they meet the age requirements for accessing certain apps or websites without disclosing their exact birthdates or other personal identification details.

ZKP technology represents one of the most significant blockchain applications beyond real-world assets and payment processing, although it has yet to gain widespread mainstream use outside specialized communities. Google explained that the system was created in response to the increasing number of services that require age verification, spanning from dating platforms to social media and e-commerce sites. “We aimed to build a system that not only confirms age but does so while safeguarding user privacy, ” the company stated. Zero-knowledge proofs allow individuals to prove a fact—such as being over 18—without revealing the information or reasoning behind it. By contrast, traditional age verification methods based on IDs typically necessitate sharing government-issued identification or birth dates, which can raise concerns regarding privacy and data security. The process operates through a sophisticated blockchain-based mechanism that executes an encrypted condition (like age), produces a proof, and allows an external system to verify it with public keys, thereby ensuring privacy without exposing the underlying data. This functionality is now available in Google Wallet and is compatible with mobile devices and apps utilizing Google’s Digital Credential API, enabling seamless integration into third-party websites and platforms.