The next phase of online identity is shifting from data storage to proof-based verification. Today, the internet already contains much of what verification and compliance teams require — from academic credentials and payment confirmations to loyalty program details. The real challenge lies in confirming these facts securely, without exposing or hoarding personal data. This is where the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol can evolve with a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) approach, ensuring verification happens without revealing sensitive information.

For founders, every onboarding form, fraud check, or compliance workflow demands a delicate balance — verifying authenticity while avoiding becoming a data honeypot. Although the internet already holds verifiable information like proof of education or transactions, what’s missing is a safe way to confirm it. Imagine if verification could happen without storing any data at all.

The need for such innovation is growing. IBM’s estimates suggest the average global cost of a data breach in 2025 will reach $4.4 million, while automated cyber threats and bots now account for nearly 37% of internet activity. Meanwhile, privacy expectations are tightening. A 2025 investigation revealed that more than 30 data brokers were hiding opt-out options, prompting federal and state investigations. In response, California introduced DROP, a unified deletion system under the Delete Act, emphasizing the move toward proof-based identity over data retention.

Whenever a user visits a secure website, a “TLS handshake” occurs between the browser and the site. Zero-Knowledge Transport Layer Security (zkTLS) builds on this by producing a cryptographic proof during the session — confirming that a specific interaction took place without exposing the underlying data or page details. This enables verification without storage, transforming security from document uploads to cryptographic attestations.

Unlike password sharing or screen scraping, zkTLS relies on session-derived evidence, ensuring that verification stems directly from real interactions. It provides yes/no proofs tied to genuine TLS sessions, perfectly aligning with the philosophy of proof over storage.

This approach dramatically reduces data exposure risks, accelerates verification, and improves user experience. By only requesting minimal proofs, businesses can eliminate data honeypots, simplify audits, and create faster onboarding experiences. It respects privacy while building trust — verifying identity without retaining personal details.

Humanity Protocol exemplifies this shift by using zkTLS to convert Web2 credentials into reusable, privacy-preserving proofs. Users visiting trusted sites can generate verified claims — such as proof of employment or travel status — linked to their Human ID, which apps can confirm without viewing private pages or unrelated data.

Companies can start applying zkTLS today. For example, instead of requesting full bank statements, they can simply verify whether a user’s balance exceeds a threshold (“balance above X”) to streamline onboarding and reduce storage risks. Similarly, loyalty programs can confirm member status without exposing data, creating smoother sign-in experiences.

The technology also supports sybil-resistant verification, leveraging human reputation over personally identifiable information (PII). Combined with anomaly detection, this mitigates the risks of automated abuse and fake accounts.

Employment verification can also be completed in minutes through zkTLS-based proofs from official portals, removing the back-and-forth of document collection and focusing attention on people rather than paperwork. Each verified claim substitutes a stored document, minimizing data exposure and speeding decision-making.

Businesses should begin by identifying a specific claim that builds trust or improves conversion rates. From there, they can define clear success metrics — such as faster approvals or reduced manual reviews.

Excess data should be treated as a liability, and consent-driven proof generation should happen within user browsers, clearly showing what’s being verified and what stays private. Alternate verification paths, like manual reviews, should remain available for inclusivity.

As companies scale, verified attributes can be reused across products and partners, creating interoperable ecosystems of trust. With less data stored, the blast radius of breaches shrinks, aligning with emerging privacy laws like California’s DROP system.

The evolution of online identity won’t be measured by the volume of databases, but by the strength of proofs. zkTLS transforms conventional trust signals into portable, privacy-first credentials controlled by users and verifiable by systems. The key is to start small — implement one proof, measure its impact, and expand.