Securely Committing Web2 Data

zkTLS is a groundbreaking technology integrated into Zenith Network that enables dApps to interact with existing Web2 services in a secure and verifiable manner. It leverages the cryptographic foundations of HTTPS to provide trustless access to data from websites, bridging the gap between the decentralized world of Web3 and the vast resources of Web2.

• Leveraging Existing Browser Security (TLS):

  • zkTLS builds upon the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, the backbone of secure communication on the internet. TLS, commonly associated with the "green padlock" in web browsers, uses digital certificates and public-key cryptography to establish secure and authenticated connections between clients and servers.

  • When a user connects to a website via HTTPS, the website's server presents a digital certificate that has been signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). The user's browser verifies the certificate's authenticity, ensuring that the website is genuine and not an imposter.

  • TLS also encrypts the communication between the client and the server, preventing eavesdropping and tampering.

• Cryptographic Proofs for Web2 Data Integrity:

  • zkTLS extends the capabilities of TLS by allowing a third party, such as a ZTH smart contract, to verify the authenticity and integrity of data retrieved from a website without needing to trust the party that retrieved the data.

  • This is achieved through the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). When a dApp requests data from a website via zkTLS, the party retrieving the data (e.g., an oracle or an offchain worker) also generates a ZKP that proves:

    • The data was retrieved from the correct website (i.e., the website's digital certificate was valid).

    • The data was retrieved at a specific point in time.

    • The data has not been tampered with during transit.

  • This ZKP can then be submitted to a ZTH smart contract, which can verify the proof without needing to know the actual data itself. This ensures that the dApp can trust the data retrieved from the Web2 source without having to trust the intermediary.

• Use Cases: Oracles, Social Data, and Beyond:

  • zkTLS opens up a wide range of possibilities for dApps to interact with the Web2 world in a secure and decentralized manner. Some potential use cases include:

    • Oracles: zkTLS can be used to build decentralized oracles that can provide verified data from websites to smart contracts. This could include price feeds, weather data, sports scores, or any other information that is available online.

    • Social Data: dApps can use zkTLS to verify user identities from existing social media platforms, enabling decentralized social networks to build upon existing online identities.

    • Reputation Systems: zkTLS can be used to retrieve verified data about user behavior on Web2 platforms, contributing to decentralized reputation systems.

    • Cross-Chain Communication: zkTLS can potentially be used to verify data from other blockchains, enabling secure and trustless cross-chain communication.