Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) has introduced Verified Credentials (VCs), a revolutionary walletless solution that allows for secure and efficient sharing of personal data while maintaining privacy and control. This decentralized blockchain network is pushing the boundaries of Web3 by providing a new way to navigate traditional blockchains and smart contracts.
The debut of Verified Credentials took place at the Digital Identity unConference Europe (DICE) 2024 in Zurich, Switzerland. Notably, these credentials include the first application designed to combat the influence of bots and fake accounts on social media, a crucial step as more than half of the world’s population becomes eligible to vote in national elections by 2024.
Traditionally, users have relied on wallets like Metamask for their Web3 identity needs. However, ICP now offers a walletless infrastructure through VCs, providing tools for issuing, sharing, and utilizing credentials in a privacy-conscious manner.
These Verifiable Credentials are built on top of Internet Identity (II), a decentralized identity solution running on the Internet Computer blockchain. They are a key focus in ICP’s latest Roadmap. By utilizing passkeys instead of passwords or seed phrases, Internet Identity offers a secure authentication method that protects against phishing attacks, making logging in safer and more convenient.
A VC is a portable, cryptographically secured digital representation of data such as accounts, achievements, or attributes. Through Internet Identity, users can easily share VCs with service providers needing to verify specific claims, all while maintaining control over their personal data.
Jan Camenisch, CTO of the DFINITY Foundation, emphasized the importance of Verified Credentials in enhancing user privacy and control. With VCs, users can selectively disclose information, such as confirming their age without revealing their name or birthdate, giving them autonomy over their shared data.
Furthermore, the Verified Credentials framework addresses the challenge of dApp interoperability while preserving privacy. Internet Identity acts as a trusted intermediary between Relying Parties and Issuers, exchanging credentials under an alias rather than the user’s actual identity.
One notable use case of Verified Credentials is the Proof of Unique Humanity (PoUH) developed by Decide AI and utilized by the decentralized messaging app OpenChat within the ICP ecosystem. This innovative approach requires users to authenticate their humanity through biometric data, preventing the use of bots or multiple identities to spread misinformation or engage in illicit activities online.
By tackling the issue of bots and fake accounts, Proof of Unique Humanity (PoUH) aims to foster more ethical conversations on social media platforms. Unlike the easily manipulated Proof of Humanity, PoUH connects credentials to biometric data, preventing the creation of multiple online identities and ensuring a more honest online environment.