Challenge:
ZeroState needed to ensure only verified Network School members could participate in the anonymous feedback forum, while maintaining privacy—users shouldn't have to publicly prove membership.
Our Solution:
We implemented a whitelist-based verification system combined with zero-knowledge identity generation:
Email collection & whitelisting: During registration, emails are collected and added to a whitelist that serves as the source of truth for Network School membership.
Zero-knowledge identity creation: Once an email is verified on the whitelist, users generate a Semaphore-based zero-knowledge identity. This enables:
Proving membership without revealing identity
Posting anonymous feedback cryptographically verified as coming from a real member
Maintaining privacy while preventing spam and fake accounts
Cryptographic verification: Every feedback submission includes a zero-knowledge proof demonstrating:
The user is a member of the Network School group (via Merkle tree membership)
The submission is unique (via nullifier)
The user's identity remains completely private
Technical Challenges:
Balancing privacy and verification: Verify membership without compromising anonymity
Merkle tree management: Synchronizing the tree across server restarts
Identity secret security: Ensuring secrets never leave the user's device
Why This Matters:
This demonstrates verified anonymity—users can prove they're legitimate members without revealing who they are, creating a safe space for honest feedback.