Zero Knowledge zkTLS with Maddy from Reclaim
Jun 4, 2025
In this discussion, Madhavan (Maddy) Malolan from Reclaim Protocol delves into the groundbreaking zkTLS technology and its role in web data verification. He shares insights into the journey of developing solutions for secure TLS connections while tackling challenges in integrating zero-knowledge proofs. Maddy also explores zkTLS's applications in education, employment, and financial verification, emphasizing user control over sensitive data. The conversation touches on the balance between security and user experience, along with the potential for zkTLS in AI applications.
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Genesis of ZKTLS Problem
- Madhavan Malolan shares how the problem of private proof of identity emerged from his team's grant management platform Questbook.
- Early solutions required users to reveal their identity to a third party, motivating exploration of zero knowledge proofs.
Symmetric Key Challenge in ZKTLS
- The cryptographic challenge with HTTPS is that encryption uses symmetric keys shared by client and server.
- This makes it impossible to prove who encrypted the data, complicating trust for third-party verifiers.
Two Modes of ZKTLS Explained
- There are two main modes for ZKTLS: proxy mode and MPC (multi-party computation).
- Proxy mode attests to data transfer via an intermediary; MPC mode shares encryption key material to prove authenticity without revealing keys.