# Age Verification

## 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](https://github.com/zipwireapp/ProofPack)

### 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:

{% content-ref url="../../zipwire-attest/zipwire-attest" %}
[zipwire-attest](https://docs.zipwire.io/zipwire-attest/zipwire-attest)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Learn More About Selective Disclosure Technology

* [The "Private Data" Attestation: Merkle Roots](https://docs.zipwire.io/fundamentals/security/attestations/the-private-data-attestation-merkle-roots)
* [Understanding Merkle Trees and Proofs](https://docs.zipwire.io/fundamentals/security/understanding-merkle-trees-and-proofs)
* [Proof Verification](https://docs.zipwire.io/zipwire-attest/proof-verification)
* [Privacy and Security with Selective Disclosure](https://docs.zipwire.io/zipwire-attest/privacy-and-security)