RE: Two Men on an Island - An Introduction to Zero-Knowledge Proofs and What Follows (Part - 1)
To solve the problem of successfully verifying a zero-knowledge proof to a validator in a virtual scenario, cryptographic means have to be employed, which use several computational assumptions. Due to the assumptions, it can be perceived that there can never be an absolute solution. Zero-knowledge proofs are considered to be probabilistic rather that deterministic.
Selfkey uses ZKP to perform KYC/AML verifications. A notary verifies and attests your legal and personal documents and the notaries' verification is used for KYC verification without revealing the actual documents like passports or IDs. To me that sounds deterministic rather than probabilistic.
Perhaps, in your forthcoming articles, you could discuss Selfkey as one of your real world use cases. Would appreciate that.
Hello @devann.
Interesting suggestion you have got there. We were actually unaware of Selfkey and what it is trying to do.
I might be wrong here, but I think you're trying to think of Selfkey as a ZKP mechanism itself, rather than thinking that Selfkey uses an iteration of ZKP on its application.
Let try me to clear that with this small example.
ZCash is a cryptocurrency, with its source code borrowed heavily from bitcoin itself. In order to facilitate transfer of value without the propagation of information, it uses zk-snarks (one of the methods by which ZKP can be calculated).
Thus, when I send you a certain amount, it will 'deterministically' reach your wallet. But the mechanism that ZCash used to send you the amount without revealing any information is 'probabilistic'.
Now change ZCash to Selfkey and value to KYC information and it's still the same.
Hope I was able to help you out in understanding. Do get back if greater clarity is required.
Thanks for the support as always. Cheers.