Vitalik Buterin and Anoma Founders Discuss ZK Potentials in Web3 Social Protocols

During the ETHCC[7] in Brussels on July 9th, Mask Network, in collaboration with Lens Protocol and SendingMe, hosted the Web3 Social Day side event. The event featured a panel titled “Exploring ZK Potentials on Social Protocols,” which included prominent figures like Vitalik Buterin (co-founder of Ethereum), Chris Goes (Founder of Anoma), Shumo Chu (Founder of Nebra Labs), and Elias Tazartes (Co-Founder of Kakarot), moderated by Joshua Davila, the Blockchain Socialist.

Key Insights on Zero-Knowledge Proofs

The panelists engaged in a detailed discussion on Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), their limitations, and their potential to transform decentralized social networks. Shumo Chu, who has worked with ZK pioneer Silvio Micali, described ZK as “an encryption on computation,” emphasizing its dual benefits of privacy and efficiency.

Chu elaborated that ZK allows for selective disclosure of information, adding privacy to computational inputs and outputs. This is particularly valuable for decentralized social networks, where privacy and selective information sharing are crucial.

Scalability and Efficiency

Elias Tazartes highlighted the transaction efficiency of ZK, noting its significance for networks handling large transaction volumes. He mentioned Lens Protocol's new chain that uses a ZK stack for compression, enhancing scalability and integrity.

Chris Goes discussed “information flow control,” explaining that ZKPs offer granular choices in information disclosure, contrasting with the negative connotations of “privacy” as hiding information. He emphasized that ZKPs enable better theoretical frameworks for reasoning about data disclosure in digital systems.

Combating Deepfakes and Enhancing Trust

Shumo Chu introduced the concept of ZK cryptography as a defense mechanism against deepfakes. He cited a ZK microphone developed during a hackathon, which attaches a digital signature to verify authenticity. Chu also discussed the need for improved developer tools and proof aggregation infrastructure to enhance Ethereum's ZK processing power and reduce gas fees.

Elias Tazartes reminisced about the evolution of ZK terminology, noting that terms like “validity roll-ups” did not stick as well as ZK Proofs. Chris Goes remarked that ZK had become a meme term used for funding applied cryptography, suggesting a need for more precise language in the future.

Vitalik Buterin's Perspective

Vitalik Buterin made a notable entrance despite stormy weather and shared his thoughts on “information flow control.” He suggested that the term aims to make ZK technology sound less intimidating while being more precise. Buterin emphasized that decentralized social networks should enable unique front-end experiences and specialized content filtering, citing examples like Farcaster and Firefly.

Challenges and Future Directions

The panelists acknowledged challenges in user experience and the need for better education on the benefits of data ownership. Vitalik Buterin stressed the importance of letting users preview data disclosures before committing actions and whitelisting trusted applications. Chris Goes added that UI improvements are crucial for clearly showing data disclosure and restricting application access.

The discussion concluded with a focus on making ZK proofs user-friendly and emphasizing the importance of privacy by default. Panelists agreed that better stories are needed to highlight why privacy matters to the average web user.

Wrap-up

This thought-provoking panel discussion offered a glimpse into the potential of Zero-Knowledge Proofs to revolutionize social media. While ZKPs offer exciting possibilities for privacy, selective disclosure, and network efficiency, the panelists acknowledged challenges in user experience and the need for better education around the value of data ownership.

Here are the key takeaways:

Beyond Privacy: ZKPs offer more than just privacy; they enable granular control over information disclosure and verification of data authenticity.

Improved User Experience: Simplifying interfaces and permission settings is crucial for wider adoption. Designated verifier ZK proofs can help with targeted disclosure.

Education is Key: Highlighting the benefits of data ownership and control over information flow will be essential for user adoption.

Despite some challenges, the panelists seem to believe ZKPs hold the potential to create a future where users can control their data and social experiences, free from centralized gatekeepers and algorithmic manipulation. The ability to create unique social protocols that feature specialized content may pave the way for a more diverse and user-centric social media landscape.

For more details, visit the Mask Network.