Google Wallet Adds Private ID Feature Using Blockchain-Based Tech

Google is rolling out a privacy-focused update to its Wallet app by integrating zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs), allowing users to verify identity attributes like age without revealing personal details.

The feature is launching first in the UK, with broader international availability planned soon.

The ZK system—developed in partnership with Ligero, a privacy startup backed by major crypto investors—lets users prove eligibility for services without compromising their identity. Though not strictly tied to crypto, the codebase will be open-sourced, potentially allowing other wallets and services to adopt the technology.

Zero-knowledge proofs, once an academic curiosity, have become essential in crypto. Blockchains like Ethereum use zk-Rollups (e.g., StarkNet, zkSync) to scale transactions, while privacy protocols like zk-SNARKs and zk-STARKs shield user data. Newer variants are also being explored for decentralized storage and authentication.

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Google’s implementation will extend beyond web apps. Digital IDs in Wallet may soon support passport checks for domestic travel, account recovery on Amazon, medical service access via CVS and Epic’s MyChart, and even profile verification on platforms like Uber.

This move positions Google at the forefront of mainstream zero-knowledge adoption, blending digital convenience with cryptographic privacy.