Web Proofs
What are Web Proofs?
Web Proofs are proofs of arbitrary data served to end users by an internet server.
By combining powerful cryptographic techniques like client-side proving, multi-party computation, trusted execution environments, and zero-knowledge proofs, Web Proofs attest to data from anywhere on the internet.
How do Web Proofs work?
When a TLS connection is opened between an end user and a target server, users are able to prove that the specific target server (like the Reddit servers, or Venmo servers, or Amazon servers, or any other internet server) has provided some specific data (like a user’s Reddit Karma history, Venmo balance, Amazon purchase history, etc.) to the user.
That proof is a Web Proof - a proof of any data served to an end user by an internet server.
Another way to think about Web Proofs is that Web Proofs combine ‘a proof that some internet data exists’ with ‘a proof of the data integrity’. When a Web Proof is created, it can be verified independently, and verifying a Web Proof provides guarantees about the underlying data that is being verified.
Application developers can incorporate these Web Proofs into their user flows to create novel application experiences.
What’s an example of a Web Proof?
Specific examples of Web Proofs include:
- A proof that a user has a certain rating within a service or platform, like Uber or Shopify, without disclosing the personal details of their interactions on these services
- A proof of a user’s financial data, like Venmo balances or CashApp transactions sent
- A proof that a user fits into some identity class, like ‘people that live in the European Union’ or ‘Certified Public Accountants in the United States’, without revealing the personal details of the user
- A proof that a user has some badge, item, or accomplishment in a certain online game
- A proof that a user received a certain type of email from a specific sender
- A proof that a specific condition or threshold was met in a data set without revealing individual data points
- A proof of educational achievements or certifications
Why are Web Proofs important?
Web Proofs give ownership of data back to users and unlock a novel design space for application developers.
For developers - a developer can use Web Proofs to tailor their application flows to specific types of users, filter out spam/bot accounts, or create reputation-enabled experiences. Web Proofs let developers transfer trust from arbitrary internet servers into smart contracts.
For end users - Web Proofs enable sovereignty and ownership of their own data.
How can we use Web Proofs?
Our Web Proofs SDK makes it easy to add verifiable internet data into applications.
We are offering product / design support to potential partners, so if you’re considering incorporating Web Proofs into your application, please reach out. We will be in touch within 24 hours of your outreach.