The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking feature known as Verified Credentials (VCs), with the primary goal of bolstering trust in public discussions and combatting the proliferation of bots and fake accounts on social media platforms. This innovative solution was officially presented at the Digital Identity unConference Europe (DICE) 2024 held in Zurich, Switzerland.
Verified Credentials Revolutionize User Privacy through a Walletless Approach
Verified Credentials offer users the ability to swiftly and securely provide or exchange personal information without the need for traditional e-wallets. This walletless method prioritizes user privacy and anonymity while empowering individuals to retain control over their data.
ICP has expanded the capabilities of Web3 by transcending conventional blockchain and smart contract structures, integrating VCs into the Internet Identity (II) system. Internet Identity ensures robust user authentication through passkeys rather than passwords, rendering it more impervious to phishing attacks and offering a more secure and user-friendly alternative to standard sign-in procedures utilized by websites.
Jan Camenisch, the CTO of the DFINITY Foundation, emphasized the advantages of this cutting-edge feature. Simply put, Internet Identity’s Verifiable Credentials feature addresses longstanding challenges in online privacy-preserving authentication, necessitating only a computing device and browser equipped with a passkey.
PoUH in the ICP Ecosystem Aims to Combat Social Media Manipulation
An essential application of Verified Credentials within the ICP ecosystem is the Proof of Unique Humanity (PoUH). This functionality, facilitated by the on-chain messaging platform OpenChat and bolstered by Decide AI, links a credential to a biometric trait such as facial, fingerprints, or palm scans, ensuring that individuals can only establish accounts with specific websites or applications.
The introduction of PoUH aims to mitigate social media manipulation by reducing the prevalence of bots and fake accounts, a critical initiative given the imminent 2024 National Elections, which are anticipated to attract nearly half of the global population to participate.
A report from Queensland University of Technology has highlighted a rise in instances of bots disseminating misinformation. Verified Credentials and PoUH are poised to foster more constructive, ethical, and honest conversations on social networks, countering the impact of numerous fake account holders and misleading content.
Tags: ICP