The privacy-first era has officially arrived. Self, a pioneering identity protocol powered by zero-knowledge (ZK) technology, has partnered with Google Cloud to accelerate the adoption of advanced AI tools and Web3 infrastructure exclusively among verified human users.

Unlike traditional identity systems, Self allows users to prove their humanity and share unique personal attributes like age without revealing any sensitive information such as their date of birth. Thanks to the use of zk-SNARK cryptography, even Self’s own developers cannot access private user data. Moreover, because no information is stored externally, data breaches are completely off the table.

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Self currently serves over 8 million users and supports 1 billion biometric passport holders in 129 countries. It also accommodates millions of biometric ID holders in the European Union, Turkey, Vietnam, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. After passing a third-party security audit by zkSecurity, Self stands out as the only production-ready protocol in its category fully functional on both iOS and Android, and requiring no extra biometric hardware.

Now, Self and Google Cloud are joining forces to enhance the Web3 developer experience. Their collaboration will enable the integration of Self’s identity protocol into AI-powered Web3 tools via the Google Cloud Web3 Portal. Additionally, Google Cloud’s Testnet Faucet will integrate Self’s proof-of-humanity ZKPs to help prevent sybil attacks. They’re also launching a first-of-its-kind Mainnet Faucet that will use Self’s OFAC exclusion proofs for real-time sanctions screening.

This strategic move further builds on Self and Google Cloud’s mutual mission to enhance privacy through advanced cryptographic methods. In April 2025, Self enabled age verification within Google Wallets in the UK, and in July 2025, extended its privacy-focused identity support for EU age assurance standards.

According to Richard Widmann, Head of Strategy for Web3 at Google Cloud, “The rapid rise of AI in the Web3 developer ecosystem is lowering the barrier for innovation. Collaborating with Self and Celo to bring ZK identity tech into our ecosystem highlights the transformative potential of these technologies.”

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Marek Olszewski, Co-Founder of Self, echoed that sentiment: “Since our launch, Self has consistently delivered best-in-class privacy and accessibility. We’re proud to have Google using our SDK to power secure, real-world identity verification.”

Self supports both offchain and onchain attestations, the latter anchored on the Celo blockchain, where Google Cloud operates a validator node. Google has supported the Celo ecosystem since 2018, especially around building sustainable, Web3-native solutions.

FAQs

1. What is zero-knowledge technology, and how does it protect user privacy?

Zero-knowledge (ZK) technology enables individuals to prove facts such as their age or nationality without revealing the underlying data. This means users stay anonymous while still meeting verification requirements, minimizing data exposure and protecting privacy.

2. How does Self differ from traditional identity verification platforms?

Self doesn’t store any user data and uses zk-SNARKs to allow selective disclosure. Unlike legacy systems that often collect and retain sensitive information, Self ensures full control remains with the user, reducing the risk of leaks or misuse.

3. Why is Self and Google Cloud’s partnership significant for Web3 development?

Their collaboration brings privacy-first identity to mainstream AI and Web3 infrastructure. Developers can now build more secure, compliant, and scalable applications with real human authentication without compromising privacy.

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