# ZKPassport Is Not KYC: How Zero-Knowledge Verification Protects Your Privacy

Source: https://x.com/ZKPassport/status/1989430145225294240
Kiwi News: https://news.kiwistand.com/stories/ZKPassport-Is-Not-KYC-How-Zero-Knowledge-Verification-Protects-Your-Privacy?index=0x6920a0839de03f53de22b9ff8af6feedb38ff28f97189a6d6b00498e8e92b7d92ce92728
Submitted by pedrovilela.eth on 2025-11-21 UTC, 3 upvotes, 1 comment

## Summary

ZKPassport, a zero-knowledge identity verification tool, is not KYC, according to its developers, who say it lets users prove facts like "valid passport" or "over 18" without uploading documents or revealing their identity. The verification runs on the user's phone using a passport or ID card, and the app generates a proof that is not linked to the user's wallet. The article states that ZKPassport does not upload, store, or share passport data with Aztec or any third party, and that its code is open source so anyone can verify this. Aztec chose this approach for the $AZTEC token sale instead of the document-collection compliance processes used by platforms such as Legion, Echo/Sonar, Kaito, and Coinbase.

## Article

Over the past 24 hours, we’ve seen some confusion on X about how ZKPassport verification works for the $AZTEC token sale, specifically whether ZKPassport is “KYC.”

Let’s clear this up.

ZKPassport is not KYC.

Below, we break down what ZKPassport is, how traditional KYC works, how ZKPassport differs, what data stays on your device, and how you can verify our code yourself.

ZKPassport lets you verify your identity using your passport or ID card using only your phone. The information stays in your control, never leaving your phone. No selfies, no uploads. No more leaks. Simply put, it lets you perform applicable sanctions and wallet checks in a private way.

Traditional KYC requires you to upload your passport or government ID, submit additional documents such as proof of address or utility bills, upload a selfie or video, and hand all of this information over to a centralized company that then reviews and stores your personal data.

ZKPassport does none of that. It doesn’t upload, store, or share your passport data with Aztec or any third party. All sensitive information stays on your device. The app generates a zero-knowledge proof that confirms a specific fact (like “valid passport” or “over 18”) without revealing your identity or linking it to your wallet.

In addition, our code is fully open source. Anyone can inspect the code, verify how proofs are generated, and confirm that no identity data leaves your phone. You can access our github here.

Typically, token sales on platforms like Legion, Echo/Sonar, Kaito, or more recently Coinbase require participants to go through full compliance checks. These sales require that you go through their compliance process, which often requires proof of address and sometimes even proof of income to demonstrate that you’re an accredited investor. This information is collected by centralized companies and is retained on their servers.

Aztec chose a decentralized, privacy-preserving path instead of the traditional KYC models used by other platforms. ZKPassport allows users to meet necessary verification requirements without surrendering their identity.

## Comments

**tim**: Can I say that I churned from the Aztec sale bc I was to lazy to do KYC aka upload my gov data yet again somewhere, so on ZKPassport. I guess the misunderstanding originates from people not appreciating the broken link between their data and the ICO provider, which is funny because it means that people want convenience, not privacy 😅