# Technical Foundations ## Core mechanics The backbone of zPass relies on zero-knowledge proofs and, more specifically, zk-SNARKS. The shift to general-purpose zero-knowledge proofs ensures greater privacy and programmability than traditional identity verification systems. Aleo's infrastructure is secure and scalable, providing a strong foundation for zPass. ## Aleo and zero-knowledge proofs zPass is powered by Aleo, a developer platform extending the capabilities of traditional blockchains using the concept of ZEXE. ### Aleo's role in privacy Aleo's infrastructure ensures three critical forms of privacy in zPass: private inputs, private outputs, and user privacy. ### Aleo's record model * Enables storage and encryption of user data while keeping it private in the user's hands * Extends from Zcash's UTXO model, allowing for complex privacy-preserving applications * Supports private inputs and outputs ### Decentralized private computation * Control shifts from centralized databases to end users * Combines zero-knowledge proofs with off-chain execution for verifications that do not compromise data privacy * User identity stays private --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://zpass.docs.aleo.org/zpass/technical-foundations.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.