Zero-Knowledge Powered Private Groups (ZK Clue & Stealth Mode)
As part of its privacy-first communication strategy, Sudo integrates Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology to enable anonymous participation, proof-based access control, and identity-protected group interactions. This ensures users can engage in communities without revealing their personal or wallet identity while maintaining trust and authenticity through cryptographic verification.
1. What Is ZK Clue?
ZK Clue is a privacy feature that allows users to verify on-chain or off-chain actions without revealing their actual identity. It enables users to interact in token-gated or activity-based communities while keeping wallet addresses and personal identifiers completely hidden.
Example Use Cases:
Anonymous Group Join: Join token-gated groups without exposing your wallet address.
Proof of Participation (PoP): Prove participation in a poll, governance vote, or event without disclosing your identity.
Quiz/Game ZK Rewards: Claim token rewards for quiz answers or game achievements without revealing your account details.
Content Access Control: Decrypt specific content only if you can provide a valid ZK proof of token ownership.
2. Stealth Mode Messaging
Stealth Mode extends privacy to active communication within groups and channels. When enabled, users can:
Appear in chat as "Anonymous" without exposing their wallet or username.
Still have every message cryptographically verified to ensure authenticity.
Encrypt and send files or media with ephemeral ZK-based access rights that expire after viewing.
This creates a safe environment for sensitive discussions while preserving verifiable message integrity.
3. How It Works (ZK Stack Overview)
Sudo’s ZK-powered groups are built on a layered privacy stack:
Identity Proof: Implemented using Semaphore and zkSNARK-based Merkle tree verification.
Encryption Layer: Messages and media encrypted via LibSignal combined with elliptic curve ephemeral key sharing.
Chat Engine: Sudo Chat Core extended with a ZK verification module.
Smart Contract Integration: A dedicated ZKVerifier.sol contract on EVM-compatible chains validates proofs without exposing identities.
4. Benefits of ZK-Powered Groups
No central server ever has access to a user’s full identity or wallet address.
Ideal for activist groups, whistleblower communities, and private DAO discussions.
Provides Sybil attack prevention without requiring full identity disclosure.
Allows communities to remain trust-based while preserving anonymity.
5. Example Flow – Anonymous Token-Gated Group Join
User connects their Web3 wallet.
A Zero-Knowledge proof is generated off-chain to confirm token ownership.
The proof is submitted to the ZKVerifier.sol smart contract.
If verified, the user gains group access under an anonymous identifier such as “Anonymous #1234.”
6. Limitations and Controls
ZK-powered groups do not support custom usernames for anonymous members.
Moderation tools are limited to pre-set filters and role-based ZK permissions.
Optional cooldown periods can be enabled between anonymous messages to prevent spam or flooding.
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