Google Wallet introduces zero-knowledge proofs for private age verification

Google added zero-knowledge proofs to their Wallet for age verification. Its new cryptographic system allowed users to prove they were old enough to use restricted applications without giving more information than necessary. The new system was introduced in the UK and a few U.S. states. 

Google announced they would support privacy-preserving age verification via zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) – to help users prove they were over 18 years old without revealing anything personal like name, birthdate, etc. ID passes were going to the U.K., and mobile IDs were expanding to more U.S. states. 

The tech company also hinted at expanding its Wallet to 50 more countries, allowing users to view and use digital passes in the app and on the website. The update aimed to bring the security and convenience of this kind of wallet to countries where tap-to-pay was not yet available.

Google upgrades its Wallet to include ZKP-based age verification 

🚨 Google Wallet recently integrated ZKPs for private age verification.

Many of the use-cases that have been written about for years (self-sovereign identity, private digital credentials) are finally being deployed to consumers.

2025 is the year ZK goes mainstream. pic.twitter.com/9nh6M0QscG

— Uma Roy (@pumatheuma) May 1, 2025

Google announced the integration of zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology for its Wallet. It introduced an age verification process that ensured no way to link the users’ age back to their identity when verification was needed within Google products or partner apps.

The tech company also claimed that its Wallet was expanding its digital ID and age verification capabilities across additional U.S. states and the United Kingdom, following the growing momentum of mobile identity adoption that has seen user numbers projected to reach 143 million by 2030. 

The digital wallet service is adding support for government-issued IDs in Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico, and West Virginia. The expansion builds upon existing functionality already available to Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and New Mexico residents, who can currently use digital IDs stored in Google Wallet at DMV locations. 

UK residents will soon be able to create digital ID passes with their UK passports and securely and conveniently store them in Google Wallet. The Rail Delivery Group will allow train travelers to use their digital ID to verify whether they meet the eligibility criteria for selecting Railcards on its Railcard retailing platform. Google stressed that this implementation allowed it to provide fast age verification across various mobile devices, apps, and websites that use its Digital Credential API.

Google says Bumble is among the first apps to implement the new system

The tech company disclosed that the dating app Bumble, among others, will be one of the first partners to use this cryptographic system. Bumble will use digital IDs issued through Google Wallet for user verification, while ZKPs will handle age confirmation. 

The new verification feature will require Bumble users to authenticate their identity using their Google Wallet ID passes and government-issued IDs saved to their Google Wallet, allowing users to sort profiles according to those who are ID verified and also to ask their matches to complete the verification process where necessary.

The dating platform previously had a verification tool that allowed users to take selfies to confirm their identity, but this took it to the next level. Bumble doubled down on safety tools in March and decided to include a feature that verified user IDs to enhance trust and drive user growth.

In addition to ID verification, the company released more features, including a feature that flags inappropriate messages in chat before users hit send and the ability to share data details with friends. Bumble also launched a “Discover” page dedicated to helping users find matches with similar interests.

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