Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) has introduced Verified Credentials (VCs), a solution that allows for efficient and reliable sharing of personal data while maintaining privacy and control. This walletless system expands the capabilities of Web3 by pushing the boundaries of traditional blockchains and smart contracts.
At the Digital Identity unConference Europe (DICE) 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland, Verified Credentials were officially unveiled. The first application developed to combat bots and fake accounts on social media was also introduced, which is crucial as over half of the global population will be eligible to vote in national elections by 2024.
Currently, most users rely on wallets like Metamask for their primary Web3 identity. With VCs, ICP offers a walletless infrastructure and tools for issuing, sharing, and using credentials while prioritizing privacy.
Verified Credentials are built on Internet Identity (II), a decentralized identity solution running on the Internet Computer blockchain. They are a key focus in ICP’s latest roadmap. Instead of traditional password-based authentication, Internet Identity uses passkeys for enhanced security against phishing attacks, making it a safer and more convenient login method.
VCs are secure digital representations of data such as accounts, achievements, or attributes. Users can easily share VCs online with service providers to verify claims like age or identity. These credentials are linked to users through a digital identity provider like Internet Identity.
Jan Camenisch, CTO of the DFINITY Foundation, noted that Verified Credentials allow users to provide identifying attributes when using Internet Identity for dApps, offering autonomy over their login credentials and personal data sharing.
The Verified Credentials framework ensures privacy and selective disclosure options for users, allowing them to confirm specific information without revealing unnecessary details. Internet Identity creates unique identities for each user, ensuring privacy across different platforms.
Moreover, Verified Credentials address the challenge of dApp interoperability with a privacy-preserving solution. Internet Identity serves as a trusted intermediary between Relying Party and Issuers, exchanging credentials under an alias for user privacy.
Proof of Unique Humanity (PoUH), developed by Decide AI and utilized by OpenChat, is an early application of Verified Credentials in the ICP ecosystem. This identity verification system requires users to prove their humanity through biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition, deterring the use of bots and multiple identities online.
PoUH aims to promote ethical conversations on social media and combat misinformation spread by bots. By linking credentials to biometric data, PoUH prevents users from creating multiple identities, ensuring a more authentic online presence and reducing misuse of social media platforms.
