In this episode, Anna Rose and Kobi Gurkan met with Vikas Rushi from PSE, and Ying Tong to explore two topics at the intersection of ZK and the real-world data: zkPDF and zkID.
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First they discussed zkPDF, a set of tools for proving facts on digitally signed PDFs. Vikas covered the challenges of parsing data inside zkVMs—working with decades-old specifications that use many different encodings, and tackling practical use-cases like bank statements and ID verification. They also explained how issuers, such as India’s DigiLocker, can generate proofs in a way that protects individual privacy.
Next they covered zkID and the EF’s work on building a system that would meet the EU’s Digital Identity Framework requirements ahead of its 2026 rollout. Ying Tong explained how the EF’s work on zkID differs from existing zk-based identity projects, particularly through its device-binding requirements, the cryptographic community’s feedback to the EU Commission, the trade-offs between proof systems, PSE’s work on standards and more.
They wrapped up with a chat about the challenges of revocation in both systems, and what’s next for the projects.
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