First Private Biometric Proof of Uniqueness on Linea Blockchain by Synaps, Verax & Privado ID

In a groundbreaking move to combat bots and fake accounts, the Linea ecosystem has introduced their first private biometric Proof of Uniqueness solution. This initiative, in collaboration with Synaps, Verax, and Privado ID, uses zero-knowledge technology and computer vision algorithms to verify users are humans without compromising biometric data. 

In this article, we'll look at how Privado ID helps to make sure users are real and unique:

• The Proof of Uniqueness solution in the Linea ecosystem
• Why Proof of Uniqueness is important in web3
• How Privado ID keeps privacy as a top priority

Proof of Uniqueness on Linea Ecosystem

As bots and Sybil attacks have become more common in web3, new identity solutions are needed to identify real users and reduce fraudulent activities. 

With over 5 million monthly active wallets, Linea has integrated several Proof of Humanity providers to ensure fair distribution of their LXP tokens. The Linea LXP tokens reward genuine contributors with community roles and exclusive Linea swag, among other incentives. 

To prevent bots from claiming these rewards, Linea has integrated their first biometric Proof of Uniqueness (PoU) solution in collaboration with Verax, Synaps, and Privado ID.

Here's how our Proof of Uniqueness solution works:

1. Login / Authentication: Users sign in with their preferred wallet
2. Verification: Users perform a 3D face scan to verify their uniqueness. This liveness verification ensures that a real human is in front of the camera, blocking videos and deepfakes. 
3. Proof of Uniqueness Credentials: the PoU solution is structured with two levels to indicate the credibility of the uniqueness verification: the higher the level, the more confidence we have in the user's uniqueness.
   1. Level 1: Users achieve this level upon their first verification. This initial level provides a uniqueness credential expiring in 14-days.
   2. Level 2: After this 14-day waiting period, users can complete a second verification to claim a new uniqueness credential, adding an extra level of security. This step provides a 6-month living credential.
4. Price: Each credential costs $1 on Linea, totaling $2 for both credentials, plus the transaction fee on the Linea network.
5. Attestation: The verification is anchored to the Verax registry, making users eligible to participate in exclusive rewards such as the LXP tokens. All EMV-compatible decentralized apps can access these attestations on the Verax Registry, letting any project to just plug in and quickly verify that the owner of a wall address is a human.

The Importance of Proof of Uniqueness

Proof of Uniqueness plays a critical role by verifying that each participant in a network is a unique individual. This verification method not only combats the latent issue of bots and Sybil attacks but also helps to create a more real and engaged community.

In many web3 projects, including airdrops and token distributions, rewards are intended for real users who contribute meaningfully to the ecosystem. As we have seen for the Linea Voyage LXP tokens, PoU makes sure rewards are given fairly to real users. However, the presence of bots and fake accounts can mess up these rewards, leading to an unfair allocation of resources. By implementing PoU, projects can verify that each participant is unique, ensuring rewards go to real contributors. When users know that their counterparts are verified unique individuals, the overall trust in the network grows. This trust is key for the long-term success of any decentralized platform, as it encourages users to stay and build a loyal community.

“Our Proof of Humanity approach offered users maximum flexibility, enabling them to use multiple providers such as KYC, existing credentials from exchanges, or Passport XYZ (formerly Gitcoin Passport), resulting in 5.5 million attestations and 1.5 million unique users”. Simon Brown, co-founder of Verax and blockchain ecosystem advisor at Consensys. 

Privado ID’s PoU solution also simplifies the user experience by reducing repetitive steps during the verification. Once a user completes PoU, their verifiable credential is securely stored and  can be reused across multiple platforms and apps. This not only helps onboarding but also makes it easier for users to engage with different projects without having to repeatedly prove their uniqueness. 

While PoU is key in verifying user uniqueness, it is equally important to balance this with privacy concerns. Advanced PoU systems ensure that biometric data and other sensitive information are handled securely by using cryptographic techniques like zero-knowledge proofs and context-based unique identifiers. This way, users can prove they are unique without compromising their privacy, addressing major concerns in digital identity verification.

Privacy at Our Core

We are excited to have integrated the first Proof of Uniqueness with biometric verification on the Linea ecosystem. Our solution uses zero-knowledge proofs to verify a user's uniqueness without compromising their privacy. This means users can prove they are real and unique without revealing any personal information.

Unlike other systems that require specialized hardware, the Proof of Uniqueness solution provided by Synaps uses advanced computer vision algorithms, enabling users to complete verification with their own devices, which makes it easy for everyone to use. Furthermore, no biometric data is stored during this process. Instead, a non-reversible hash of the user’s face is generated from the user's biometric scan and compared with others to confirm uniqueness. This hash is used solely for verification and cannot be reverse-engineered, safeguarding user privacy.

“Do you need to prove that you are a unique user or you are over 18? With Privado ID, you can disclose this information without revealing who you are or anything else, maintaining privacy while meeting compliance”. Florian Le Goff, CEO at Synaps. 

To enhance security and privacy further, we implemented context-based unique identifiers (CBUIs). Unique identifiers are generated within each application context, preventing cross-application tracking and ensuring that user interactions remain private and unlinked. 

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Together, we can build an equitable future for all through the mass adoption of Privado ID.