WhitePaper

The rapid digitization of services has transformed interactions between individuals, organizations, and governments. While online transactions offer convenience, they also expose sensitive information to cybersecurity threats such as data breaches, identity theft, and fraud. This document explores the limitations of traditional authentication methods and introduces ZelfProofs, an innovative solution that enhances digital identity verification through advanced cryptographic techniques and biometric authentication.

The Digital Identity Challenge

Growing Threats Outpace Traditional Authentication Methods

Traditional authentication methods, primarily relying on passwords and tokens, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats like phishing, social engineering, and brute-force attacks. Passwords are often weak due to user negligence, and tokens can be lost or stolen, making these methods insufficient for current security demands.

Conventional Biometric Systems Store Biometric Data

Biometric authentication leverages unique physiological characteristics such as fingerprints and facial features for identification. While offering enhanced security, traditional biometric systems require storing sensitive biometric data, raising significant privacy concerns. Data breaches involving biometric information are particularly damaging since biometric traits cannot be changed like passwords.

Quantum Algorithms Break Widely Used Cryptographic Methods

Quantum computing poses a significant threat to existing cryptographic systems like RSA and ECC. Quantum algorithms could potentially break these widely used methods, compromising the security of encrypted data and communications. This necessitates a transition to quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms to ensure long-term data protection.

Introducing Zero Knowledge Face Proofs

In today's increasingly digital world, the need for secure and privacy- preserving identity verification is more critical than ever. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and the rise of quantum computing introduces new challenges to traditional cryptographic systems.

Zelf addresses these multifaceted issues by combining biometric authentication with advanced cryptographic techniques, including post-quantum cryptography through its patent-pending ZK-Face Proofs. By introducing a Face-based Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Electronic Identity (eID) system, Zelf enhances security while preserving user privacy, as it eliminates the need to store biometric data. ZelfProofs innovative and first-of-its-kind approach to biometric authentication through two different cryptographic mechanisms guarantees user privacy and GDPR compliance through its core technologies. Integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) with trusted SSL technology, Zelf meets the growing demand for robust identity verification. This innovative approach redefines digital identity verification, making online interactions more secure, private, and future proof. Zelf also addresses the pressing issue of how to integrate biometric verification into blockchain applications and solves the problem of trusting the wallet.

ZelfProofs

Privacy is a fundamental right. Zelf revolutionary technological breakthrough enables privacy-focused facial verification without storing any biometric data or facial images anywhere. This GDPR-compliant technology puts users in control of their identity and data, eliminating privacy risks and ensuring complete security.

Zero Knowledge Face Proof solution generates ZelfProofs, which are encrypted, privacy-preserving binary data structures that serve as Verifiable Credentials. These ZelfProof contain no biometric data but are biometrically verifiable using only the eID holder's live face. They are approximately five times smaller than traditional biometric templates and can be stored as QR codes, in NFC chips, or in databases.

Unlike traditional biometric systems that store facial images or templates, ZelfProofs contain no biometric data. Instead, they function as "Locked Safes" that can only be unlocked using the live face of the user, aligning with GDPR’s data minimization principle as no biometric data is stored or processed beyond the authentication event.

Zero-Knowledge Face Proofs

A key feature of Zelf - Zero Knowledge Face Proofs, allows for face verification without revealing or storing actual facial data. This transforms face recognition from a machine learning problem into a cryptographic one, creating tokenized biometrics. Through zero- knowledge proofs, verifiers can authenticate users without ever accessing or processing their biometric data, fully complying with GDPR's data protection by design and default.

---

To be continued...