Technical Research - Comparative Analysis of Semaphore vs other privacy approaches

[aguzmant103]

Semaphore is one of the simplest ways to add privacy to applications. What other technologies exist and how do they fit and compare to each other?

For example:

• Semaphore groups vs Sismo Groups
• Semaphore vs Nym (mixnet)
• Semaphore vs other zkID protocols

[atomniketh]

I just got approved to be in Aztec's/zkCamp's Noir course cohort. I'm thinking of doing a comparison of how I would use Noir to do what I did with Semaphore in my StealthComms project. I can maybe create a matrix to compare Semaphore vs. Noir/Nargo if that would help.

[aguzmant103]

Yes!! Super helpful @atomniketh comparing performance on different implementations of Semaphore is great, (languages, proving systems, etc)

I think @vplasencia has done some work with that, unsure if she did Noir though

[vplasencia]

Hey @atomniketh! That would be great. Thank you!

[trangnv]

Hey @atomniketh
I will also be in the coming zkCamp's Noir cohort, happy to help with your idea.
@aguzmant103 I did a little writeup about Semaphore here, can also dig in other projects architecture

[vplasencia]

There is a Semaphore implementation in Noir that can be useful for your project: https://github.com/StefanVelkoski/semaphore-noir
@atomniketh @trangnv

[atomniketh]

@trangnv Look for me in the ZKCamp circles group. Let's coordinate there!

[atomniketh]

ZK Language	Noir	Circom	Cairo	Leo
From	Aztec	Iden3	Starknet	Aleo
Compiles to	IR (ACIR)	R1CS	Sierra (IR)	R1CS
Supports	Integrated with UltraPlonk, Extendable to Groth16, Halo2	Groth16	Stark, FRI	SNARK-based
Used By	Verifier can be deployed on EVM compatible chains	Tornado Cash, Polygon Hermez, Dark Forest, Semaphore	Starknet	Aleo