In this episode, Anna Rose and Kobi Gurkan chat with Vikas Rushi from PSE, and Ying Tong to explore two topics at the intersection of ZK and the real-world data: zkPDF and zkID. 

First they dive into zkPDF, a set of tools for proving facts on digitally signed PDFs. Vikas talks about the challenges of parsing data inside zkVMs—working with decades-old specifications that use many different encodings, and tackling practical use-cases like bank statements and ID verification. They also explain how issuers, such as India’s DigiLocker, can generate proofs in a way that protects individual privacy.

Next they cover zkID and the EF’s work on building a system that would meet the EU’s Digital Identity Framework requirements ahead of its 2026 rollout. Ying Tong explains how the EF’s work on zkID differs from existing zk-based identity projects, particularly through its device-binding requirements, the cryptographic community’s feedback to the EU Commission, the trade-offs between proof systems, PSE’s work on standards and more.

They wrap up with a chat about the challenges of revocation in both systems, and what’s next for the projects. 

Related links:

• Episode 367: Local-First with grjte and Goblin Oats
• Episode 366: Bringing ID Onchain with Self
• Episode 363: Bringing ZK to Google Wallet with Abhi and Matteo
• Episode 362: zkTLS with Maddy from Reclaim
• Episode 358: Building ZK Registries Onchain with Rarimo
• Episode 353: Making ZK More Human with ZK Email
• Episode 330: Frameworks for Programmable Privacy with Ying Tong and Bryan Gillespie
• Community Privacy Residency
• Anon Aadhaar
• DigiLocker