Aug 7, 2024

Humanity Protocol is a company that is setting a new standard for secure and private digital interactions within the Web3 space. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Humanity Protocol founder Terence Kwok to learn more about the company. Terence Kwok’s Background What is Terence Kwok’s background? I’m dedicated to maximizing human potential amidst AI’s impact and proof of humanity is one way that I can see this happening in an increasingly AI-driven world.” “All my efforts are aimed at fostering inclusivity and connectivity. I aim to use technology to bring people together and promote inclusivity.” Formation Of Humanity Protocol How did the idea for the company come together? Kwok shared: “It all started with a vision for a more user-friendly identity verification solution in the Web3 space. Our goal is to offer a privacy-preserving alternative to invasive biometric methods, allowing Web3 users to fulfill important tasks such as proving ownership of their real-world assets or keeping on-chain voting more democratic.” “We do this by pairing non-invasive biometrics with zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs). This powerful combination ensures secure identity verification while empowering users with decentralized digital ownership.” “With concerns over data breaches on the rise, our focus on user privacy couldn’t be more timely. By putting control back in users’ hands, it’s paving the way for a more secure and inclusive digital future.” Favorite Memory What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Kwok reflected: “We’re just about to launch our testnet and one of my favorite memories working on so far has been the moment we saw our technology in action for the first time within the team.” “Seeing the potential of our privacy-preserving biometric palm recognition technology to revolutionize identity verification in the Web3 space filled me with a sense of pride and excitement for the future.” “Witnessing the culmination of months of hard work was also incredibly rewarding — the fact that we’ve partnered up with other industry heavyweights such as Polygon and Animoca Brands to make this happen gave me added assurance that we were on the right track to see this through to fruition on a global scale.” Core Products What are the company’s core products and features? Kwok explained: “The company’s core product is Humanity Protocol, which reimagines identity verification in Web3 through the use of innovative palm recognition technology.” “The product addresses the unique-human problem, enhancing privacy measures and empowering individuals with greater control over their data and identity both online and offline. One such possibility is that individuals can ensure immutable digital records of ownership, bridging real-world assets like real estate to virtual documentation such as property titles and deeds, securely stored on the blockchain where they cannot be tampered with. This provides individuals with peace of mind and security in their digital interactions and transactions — a subject matter that has gained more scrutiny from the public as Big Tech continues to be criticized for how they store and use their users’ data.” “Our protocol offers a less invasive alternative to invasive identity verification methods like iris scans. It operates seamlessly on smartphones, prioritizing user accessibility and privacy.” “What sets Humanity Protocol apart is its user-centric design, emphasizing simplicity and inclusivity. This not only fortifies identity validation but also positions Humanity Protocol as the go-to solution for onboarding the next billion users onto Web3. The data ownership granted to individuals by this tech empowers users.” Challenges Faced What challenges have Kwok and the team faced in building the company? Kwok acknowledged: “We’ve encountered challenges such as ensuring widespread adoption while addressing privacy concerns. Transparency and communication with users have been key in overcoming this obstacle. Additionally, navigating regulatory changes has required proactive collaboration with our compliance team and staying updated with industry standards. Technical hurdles have also arisen, but rigorous testing and collaboration with partners have helped us overcome them.” “The name of the game for us is adaptability, effective communication, and diversity of thought and collaboration. We remain committed to navigating the evolving landscape of our sector while maintaining our dedication to user privacy and technological advancement.” Evolution Of Humanity Protocol’s Technology How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Kwok noted: “As we’re just on the brink of launching our testnet, we’re excited to see how our technology evolves in the hands of users.” “Our team is highly adaptable and thrives on rapid iteration, ready to respond to user needs as they arise. We’ll closely monitor feedback and usage patterns to inform future developments, ensuring that our technology continues to evolve in line with user expectations and industry advancements.” Differentiation From The Competition What differentiates the company from its competition? Kwok affirmed: “What distinguishes our product from our competitors is our innovative use of palm scanning for identity verification. Unlike iris scans, which can be intrusive and complex, palm scanning offers a more user-friendly and accessible method, where users can sign up for an account and verify their humanity with an at-home palm scan.” “One significant advantage of palm scanning is its convenience and ease of use, especially when integrated into smartphones. Palm scanning is also more robust than other biometric methods such as facial recognition, which has been proven to display racial biases , and finger scanning, which can be compromised with the wear and tear of our fingerprints as we age . Users can verify their identity from the comfort of their homes without needing specialized equipment or extensive setup. This accessibility encourages greater adoption among a wider range of users.” Future Company Goals What are some of the company’s future company goals? Kwok concluded: “We have big plans for our future! We’re driven by a vision of ambitious goals for our future. Initially, our aim is to pioneer the creation of the most extensive blockchain network of verified human beings through Phase 1 of our protocol. We’re leveraging palm recognition technology for verification while ensuring utmost data privacy through zero-knowledge proofs.” “Moving forward into Phase 2, our aspiration is to evolve into the identity layer of Web3, issuing verifiable credentials that abstract Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other sensitive data. Through the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs, we empower organizations to authenticate user credentials without exposing their wallet address or identity.” “Our upcoming testnet is only the first step as we gear up to become an integral part of all Web3 users’ online experiences.” Pulse 2.0 focuses on business news, profiles, and deal flow coverage.