Age Verification

How to use Zipwire Attest to verify your age for age-restricted services and platforms while maintaining privacy through selective disclosure technology.

What is Age Verification with Selective Disclosure?

Age verification with selective disclosure (also known as selective reveal, minimal disclosure, or privacy-preserving verification) allows you to prove your age to access age-restricted services, platforms, or content without revealing your full date of birth or other personal information. This is particularly useful for services that need to comply with age-related regulations while respecting user privacy.

Selective disclosure technology enables you to share only the specific information needed - like proving you're "over 18" - while keeping all other personal data completely private.

Why Age Verification with Selective Disclosure Matters

For Users

• Access age-restricted services - Prove you're old enough without oversharing

• Maintain complete privacy - Don't reveal your exact date of birth or other personal details

• Comply with regulations - Meet legal requirements for age-restricted content

• Universal verification - Use the same selective disclosure proof across multiple platforms

• Control your data - You decide exactly what information to reveal and when

For Platforms

• Regulatory compliance - Meet legal requirements for age restrictions

• Fraud prevention - Prevent underage users from accessing restricted content

• Privacy protection - Don't need to store sensitive personal data

• Trust building - Users trust platforms that respect their privacy through selective disclosure

• Reduced liability - Only receive the minimum information needed

How Zipwire Attest Provides Selective Disclosure Age Verification

The Private Data Attestation with Selective Disclosure

Zipwire Attest creates a Private Data attestation of your passport or ID document using Merkle root hashes. This enables selective disclosure technology that allows you to:

• Prove specific facts - Reveal only your age or date of birth through selective disclosure

• Maintain complete privacy - Keep all other document information private using minimal disclosure

• Generate selective disclosure proofs - Create proofs that reveal only what's needed

• Universal verification - Use the same selective disclosure proof anywhere that supports EAS

The Selective Disclosure Process

1. Register with Zipwire Attest - Create your account independently

2. Connect your Ethereum wallet - Link your wallet to receive attestations

3. Submit your passport/ID - Provide your identity document for verification

4. Complete verification - Zipwire verifies your document with Yoti

5. Claim your attestation - Add the Private Data attestation to your wallet

6. Generate selective disclosure proof - Create a privacy-preserving proof when needed

Real-World Use Cases for Selective Disclosure

Gaming Platforms

Many online games and gaming platforms have age restrictions for certain content or features.

Example: A gaming platform might require proof that you're over 18 to access mature-rated content. Using selective disclosure technology, you can generate a proof from your passport attestation that reveals only your age, without sharing your full name, address, or other details.

Social Media

Some social media platforms have age restrictions for certain features or content.

Example: A social platform might require age verification to access certain features or content. With selective disclosure, you can prove you're over 13 (or 16, or 18) without revealing your exact date of birth.

Financial Services

Some DeFi protocols and financial services have age restrictions for compliance reasons.

Example: A DeFi lending protocol might require proof that you're over 18 to access certain financial products. Selective disclosure technology allows you to provide age verification without sharing other personal information.

Content Platforms

Video streaming, adult content, and other platforms often require age verification.

Example: A content platform might require proof that you're over 18 to access certain content. Using privacy-preserving verification, you can verify your age without revealing your identity.

Privacy Benefits of Selective Disclosure Technology

Age verification with Zipwire Attest is designed to be privacy-preserving through selective disclosure technology:

• Selective disclosure - Reveal only your age, not your full date of birth

• Minimal disclosure - Share only the minimum information needed

• Privacy-preserving verification - Maintain complete control over what you share

• No personal data stored - Only cryptographic hashes are on the blockchain

• User control - You decide when and where to share your selective disclosure proof

• No tracking - The proof doesn't create a link between your identity and activities

Technical Details: How Selective Disclosure Works

Understanding Selective Disclosure Technology

When you need to prove your age, Zipwire Attest generates a selective disclosure proof (also called a selective reveal proof, minimal disclosure proof, or privacy-preserving proof) that:

1. Reveals only your age - Shows the specific information needed through selective disclosure

2. Proves authenticity - Verifies the information comes from your attested document

3. Maintains privacy - Keeps all other document information hidden using minimal disclosure

4. Is verifiable - Can be checked by anyone using the ProofPack specification

Common Terms for Selective Disclosure Technology

This technology is known by several names in the industry:

• Selective Disclosure - Disclosing only what's necessary

• Selective Reveal - Revealing only specific information

• Minimal Disclosure - Sharing the minimum information needed

• Privacy-Preserving Verification - Verification that protects privacy

• Attribute-Based Credentials - Credentials that reveal specific attributes only

Example Selective Disclosure Proof

Instead of sharing your full passport, you might generate a selective disclosure proof that reveals only:

• "This person is over 18" (true/false)

• "This person is over 21" (true/false)

• "This person's age is between 25-35" (true/false)

Each of these is a selective disclosure that proves the specific fact without revealing your exact age or any other personal information.

Getting Started with Selective Disclosure

Ready to set up age verification with selective disclosure technology? Start with Zipwire Attest:

Your Digital Identity on the Blockchain

Learn More About Selective Disclosure Technology

• The "Private Data" Attestation: Merkle Roots

• Understanding Merkle Trees and Proofs

• Proof Verification

• Privacy and Security with Selective Disclosure