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Self is a leading digital identity infrastructure for Web2 and Web3. Self leverages zero-knowledge cryptography to disclose verifiable credentials without revealing any sensitive information. No third parties. No data leaks.
Self is the only leader in the space that is production-ready, live across iOS and Google Play Store, and fully audited by third-party zkSecurity that doesn’t rely on additional dependencies such as biometric hardware.
By the conclusion of this guide, you will have a comprehensive understanding of Self and how to integrate it into your Celo applications. This document will cover:
  • What is Self?
  • Getting Started
  • New Features (2025)
  • Technical Resources
  • Use Cases

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What is Self?

Self is a privacy-first, open-source identity protocol that uses zero-knowledge proofs for secure identity verification. It enables Sybil resistance and selective disclosure using real-world attestations like passports, EU ID cards, and Indian Aadhaar. With a few lines of code, developers can easily check if their users are humans, while preserving their privacy.

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How It Works

Self Protocol simplifies digital identity verification with zero-knowledge proofs in three steps:
  1. Scan Your Identity Document: Users scan their passport, EU ID card, or Aadhaar using the NFC reader of their phone.
  2. Generate a Proof: Generate a zk proof over the identity document, selecting only what you want to disclose.
  3. Share Your Proof: Share the zk proof with the selected application.

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Use cases

Seamlessly and securely verify your digital identity with Self. It allows you to:
  • Prove Your Humanity: Confirm you are human without revealing personal information.
    • Airdrop Protection
    • Social Media & Marketplaces (add trust to user profiles)
    • Quadratic Funding
    • Sybil-Resistant Polling
  • Prove Identity, Age, Nationality: Demonstrate where you’re from while maintaining privacy. Securely capture the first page data and RFID from your passport to verify your identity.
    • Sanction List Checking
    • Age Verification
    • Wallet Recovery
  • Privacy-preserving Technology: Protect your users’ private information. They will only disclose credentials and information that they allow.
  • Streamline Verification: Enjoy a smooth and efficient identity verification process.
  • Optimized for Web3 and Universal Apps: Harness zero-knowledge proofs and one-tap verifications in Web3 apps.

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New Features (2025)

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Expanded Identity Document Support

Self now supports:
  • EU Biometric ID Cards: Scan NFC-enabled EU IDs covering 27 countries
  • Indian Aadhaar: Support for Aadhaar verification
  • Passports: Continued support for passport verification
All verification leverages zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) and no data leaves the user’s device.

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Points/Rewards System

Self has introduced a points program that incentivizes consistent, secure use:
  • Users earn points for setting up Self Pass
  • Points earned for continued use across partner platforms
  • Points can be redeemed for rewards
  • Designed to drive engagement and validate active, verified users

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Major Integrations

  • Google Cloud: Integrated Self’s SDK and ZKP-based proof-of-humanity in its Web3 Portal
  • Aave: DeFi protocol integration enabling compliance checks, sybil-resistant airdrops, and age/country-gated services
  • Celo Blockchain: On-chain attestations leverage the Celo blockchain for transparency and auditability

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Technical Resources

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Support

Join the Self Builder Group on Telegram for community support and updates. For Celo-specific integrations, visit the Celo Discord and ask in the #build-with-celo channel.