The "Yes/No" Identity Handshake
Privacy-forward verification: the venue receives the answer, not the document.
The Privacy-Forward Principle
Traditional identity verification forces users to over-share. To prove you’re over 21, you show an ID containing your name, address, date of birth, and photo—far more than the venue needs.
The Yes/No Identity Handshake flips this model. The venue asks a simple question ("Over 21?"). The user’s device proves the answer cryptographically. The venue receives only YES or NO—never the underlying document.
The Core Principle
"The venue receives the answer, not the document." This is privacy-by-design at the protocol level—not privacy as an afterthought or a policy promise.
Why This Matters
This pattern—selective disclosure through verifiable credentials—transforms what venues can offer while radically reducing what they need to store.
- No personal data storage liability for the venue
- Users maintain control over their information
- Verification is instant and cryptographically secure
- Enables personalization without surveillance
- Compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and emerging frameworks
- Supports age-appropriate content gating for families
Ready to Learn More?
Both companion books explore privacy-forward design in depth—from strategic rationale to implementation patterns.
View the Books →