What is OAuth?

OAuth is a standard for accessing a user's data without sharing credentials. It allows users to grant third-party applications limited access to their resources without revealing their passwords. This is accomplished through the use of access tokens, which are issued after the user authenticates and consents to the application's access request. By using OAuth, applications can operate on behalf of users, enabling secure interactions between them while ensuring that sensitive information like passwords remains private.

This method enhances security by providing fine-grained access controls, allowing users to revoke access at any time, and promotes better user experience by simplifying the authentication process across different platforms and services.