Google Wallet Bets on Zero-Knowledge Proofs—Because Your Age Shouldn’t Cost Your Privacy

Google just upped the ante in digital identity—rolling out ZKPs for age verification in Wallet. No more handing over your entire birth certificate to buy energy drinks.

Why it matters: Zero-knowledge proofs let you prove you’re over 18 without revealing your DOB. Finally, some blockchain-grade privacy for mainstream apps—even if Wall Street still thinks ’ZK’ stands for Zuckerberg.

The catch? This only works where regulators accept digital IDs. Cue the inevitable three-year lag before your local DMV figures out how to right-click.

Age thresholds for online purchases

Google said ZKPs will power a new form of private age verification through its Digital Credential API. 

The implementation will allow users to prove they meet age thresholds for services like Bumble and online alcohol purchases, without disclosing anything beyond that fact.

“We’re developing a system that not only verifies age, but does it in a way that protects your privacy,” Google announced in its blog post. “There is no way to LINK the age back to your identity.”

Viglione called this shift long overdue. “Privacy shouldn’t be a luxury or an afterthought—it should be a default,” he said. “It’s exciting to see leading companies recognize that.”

As part of the update, Google also plans to open source its ZKP technology, aiming to help other wallets and services adopt privacy-preserving features. The new functionality is rolling out alongside an expansion of digital IDs in more U.S. states, the U.K., and 50 additional countries.