New Google Wallet Feature Uses Blockchain to Confirm Age Without Exposing Personal Info

In a move aimed at strengthening user privacy, Google has unveiled a new age verification feature in its Wallet app that uses zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) technology—allowing users to prove they’re old enough to access restricted services without disclosing any personal details.

Whether signing up for a dating app or shopping online, users often face a choice: share sensitive identity information or walk away. Google’s new system removes that dilemma. Instead of uploading IDs or entering birthdates, users can now present a digital proof of age—one that confirms they meet age requirements without saying anything else.

Bumble will be among the first companies to adopt the system, using digital credentials issued by Google Wallet to verify users. ZKPs handle the verification behind the scenes, using cryptography to confirm age without exposing the actual data.

“With more online services requiring age checks, we wanted to provide a way to do that responsibly—one that respects user privacy,” Google said in its announcement.

ZKPs work by proving a condition (like being over 18) is true, without revealing the inputs used to determine it. It’s a blockchain-backed process that’s mathematically verifiable and increasingly seen as a cornerstone of privacy-preserving tech.

The feature is now live and runs through Google’s Digital Credential API, making it compatible with third-party platforms across mobile and web environments.

Meanwhile, the market appears to be responding positively. Tokens related to ZKP technologies are up 1.7% in the past day, according to CoinGecko—suggesting that Google’s adoption could breathe new life into the privacy-tech sector.