Atala PRISM V2 + AnonCreds
Atala PRISM v2 is a digital identity management suite of infrastructure products for digital identity and verifiable data. The Atala team constantly strives to improve the platform by aligning it with the latest standards in the digital identity space. One such improvement would be to integrate the AnonCreds specification into PRISM v2.
What are AnonCreds?
AnonCreds is a specification of a type of verifiable credential, data model, flows, and defined cryptographic primitives that enable the usage of credentials without revealing any personally identifiable information (PII) about the credential holder. A zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) protocol allows a verifier to verify the credential's authenticity without knowing anything about the credential holder other than the fact that they possess it. AnonCreds are used widely in the Hyperledger Indy ecosystem, and various organizations, such as the Government of British Columbia, IDunion, and the IATA Travel Pass, have adopted them.
Why add AnonCreds to Atala PRISM v2?
By adding support for AnonCreds, Atala PRISM v2 will enable identity use-cases that can preserve privacy and confidentiality better. AnonCreds allow the usage of credentials without revealing any PII, which is especially important in cases where the user must prove their identity while minimizing the disclosure of sensitive personal information, such as name, age, address, or social security number. AnonCreds are also helpful in cases where the user must prove their identity to a third party without revealing any information about the credential issuer.
How can AnonCreds be added to Atala PRISM v2?
Adding support for AnonCreds to Atala PRISM v2 will require the integration of a Rust library that supports AnonCreds. The Atala team has already funded part of the development of this library, and it is currently in the works. Upon completion of the library, it will get integrated into PRISM v2, enabling the issuance and verification of AnonCreds to complement the already existing w3c-compliant JWT-VC credentials.
Integrating AnonCreds into PRISM v2 would add another layer of privacy protection to the platform and bring the platform in line with the latest standards in the digital identity space. By supporting both AnonCreds as well as JWT-VCs, PRISM expands its interoperability with other stakeholders across the digital identity field.
Moreover, AnonCreds would be a valuable addition to PRISM v2 because it would allow for more granular control over sharing personal information. The current implementation of PRISM v2 already provides individuals improved control over their data. However, with AnonCreds, individuals could share only the specific information required for a particular transaction or interaction. For example, someone could prove they are over 18 without sharing their age.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Atala PRISM v2 is a significant improvement over its predecessor, and the addition of support for AnonCreds will make it even more privacy-friendly and valuable for users. With the support of AnonCreds, PRISM v2 will allow users to share credentials without revealing any PII. It would also bring the platform in line with the latest standards in the digital identity space and increase interoperability. The Atala team is already working on this integration, and we look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to the platform.
