Welcome
At this documentation you will learn about our architecture and the APIs that can be combined or utilized as stand-alone solution in order to complete a successful flow in the encryption and decryption of the Zero Knowledge Face Proof (ZelfProof), first of its kind to be commercialized to the public.
What is Zelf?
Zelf is a cutting-edge privacy-preserving biometric verification system that revolutionizes identity management by utilizing advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure security without storing or exposing any biometric data. It uses face data to generate a unique, non-biometric binary representation called ZelfProof, which facilitates highly secure authentication, encryption, and verification processes.
Unlike traditional biometric systems that store templates and are subject to breaches or misuse, Zelf ensures that no biometric data is ever retained, making it a fully privacy-preserving solution designed for the next generation of identity verification, proof of personhood, and secure access control.
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Key Features of Zero Knowledge Face Proof:
No Biometric Storage: Biometric data is not collected or stored, even at the ZelfProof. Instead, we use facial recognition to generate an encrypted, randomized, privacy-preserving, non-biometric binary representation – which is your ZelfProof.
Liveness Detection: Our system can verify the end user's presence, preventing spoofing attempts and ensuring that only the legitimate user can access the wallet.
Offline Capability: ZelfWallet works both online and offline, requiring no internet connection to function.
Easy Storage: Instead of storing the recovery keys of every wallet on the cloud, cold storage or written in a piece of paper, users can now store a QR code (which contains the ZelfProof) and later decrypt it by presenting a biological-root-of-trust, the user's face.
How Does Zelf Work?
Zelf is built on a foundation of privacy-preserving cryptography. Here’s an in-depth look at the process:
1. Registration (Encrypting)
Face & Metadata Capture: The user provides a live face scan along with optional metadata like your private key of your wallet, name, ID numbers, or other identifying information.
Zelf Processing: The captured face data is processed using proprietary cryptographic algorithms. This process involves:
ZelfProof Processing: A ZelfProof, which is a privacy-preserving, non-biometric binary structure, is generated. Unlike a biometric template, ZelfProof is:
Encrypted
Unique to each session
Biometrically verifiable but non-biometric in nature
Unique Cryptographic Key: A random public key pair is generated in the process. The public key is used create the ZelfProof, while the private key is discarded after use.
2. Verification (Decrypting)
Live Face Scan: During verification, the user provides a live face scan, which is then processed to match against the ZelfProof. This scan is conducted in real-time, using advanced facial recognition technology.
ZelfProof Matching: The ZelfProof generated during registration is compared with the live scan. Because ZelfProof is non-biometric, this process involves verifying that the cryptographic structure matches the original, without retrieving or storing the face data used during registration.
Decryption of Metadata: If the face data matches, any metadata that was encrypted alongside the ZelfProof is decrypted, allowing access or verification of the user’s credentials.
Final Verification: The system validates the integrity of the ZelfProof by checking the cryptographic signature against the trusted public key. If all checks pass, the user’s identity is verified, granting them access or confirming their credentials.
Zelf QRs
The QR is just a graphic representation of the ZelfProof so you can store it with ease in a decentralized way.
Key Properties of ZelfQR:
Revocable: ZelfProofs are revocable. This means that if a user's identity needs to be updated or revoked, a new ZelfProof can be generated from the same face and metadata, but with a different cryptographic key, effectively rendering the previous one invalid.
Offline & Distributed: The verification process can be done offline, making Zelf suitable for decentralized systems, distributed ledgers, and scenarios where internet access is limited or unavailable. Verification can occur without the need to access a centralized database, preserving privacy and enhancing security.
Multi-Use Credentials: A single face scan and metadata set can be used to generate multiple ZelfProofs, allowing different ZelfQR for different applications, such as:
Government ID
Corporate Access Cards
Proof of Personhood for decentralized applications (dApps)
Wallet encryptions
Zero-Trust Architecture: The system operates under a zero-trust model, meaning that neither the verifier nor any intermediary ever gains access to the user’s biometric data or identity attributes during the authentication process.
Zelf’s Cryptographic Principles
1. Face-Based Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
One of the most groundbreaking aspects of Zelf is its integration with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). By using a user’s face to generate cryptographic keys, Zelf enables:
Face-Based Authentication: The user’s face acts as a cryptographic trigger that, when combined with metadata, can generate secure, one-time use public keys for encryption, decryption, and signing.
Passwordless Access: Since the user’s face generates the necessary cryptographic keys, there’s no need for passwords, making Zelf a password-less, frictionless authentication system.
2. Zero-Knowledge Multi-Party Computation (MPC)
Zelf is designed with secure Multi-Party Computation (MPC) protocols, enabling privacy-preserving computation of sensitive data.
Proof of Personhood: Users can prove their identity or attributes (such as age or citizenship) without revealing their underlying data. This is crucial for use cases like voting, KYC (Know Your Customer), and decentralized finance (DeFi), where privacy is essential.
Distributed Ledger Integration: The system is ready for integration with distributed ledgers and blockchain, enabling secure, decentralized identity management without the need for centralized biometric storage.
Advantages of Zelf
1. No Biometric Data Storage
Traditional biometric systems store templates that are vulnerable to theft or misuse. Zelf ensures that no biometric data is ever stored or retrievable, eliminating compliance risks and enhancing user trust.
2. Revocability
Unlike traditional biometric templates, which cannot be revoked or regenerated, ZelfProof are revocable and renewable. If a ZelfProof is compromised, a new one can be generated, and the old one invalidated—making Zelf adaptable and future-proof.
3. Unlikability
Each ZelfProof is inherently unlikable, meaning that even if a user generates multiple ZelfProofs across different services, they cannot be linked back to a single identity, protecting user anonymity and privacy.
4. Offline & Distributed
Zelf supports fully offline verification, ideal for use in decentralized, offline, or low-connectivity environments. It can serve as a self-sovereign identity solution, where users maintain control over their credentials without relying on third-party servers or databases.
5. Enhanced Privacy & Compliance
Zelf complies with the strictest data privacy regulations, such as GDPR, by ensuring that no personally identifiable information (PII) or biometric data is ever exposed. This significantly reduces the regulatory burden on organizations that adopt Zelf.
Zelf Use Cases
Zelf’s privacy-preserving technology has wide applicability across various industries:
Government & Public Sector: Secure identity verification for passports, national ID programs, and digital voting systems.
Corporate Sector: Multi-factor authentication (MFA), access control, and secure document signing for enterprise environments.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi): KYC and proof of personhood for decentralized platforms, ensuring privacy without compromising security.
Healthcare: Secure access to medical records and health services without exposing sensitive biometric information.
Blockchain & dApps: Enabling self-sovereign identity and zero-knowledge proofs on decentralized applications, allowing users to prove their identity without sharing sensitive data.
Conclusion
Zelf is a revolutionary privacy-preserving identity solution that eliminates the need for biometric data storage while providing robust, cryptographically secure authentication and verification. Through its use of advanced cryptographic techniques like face-based PKI and zero-knowledge proofs, Zelf ensures that users retain full control over their identity and personal data in a secure, privacy-focused environment.
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