idTokenClaims vs accessTokenClaims

n the context of authentication, an “idtokenclaims” refers to the specific user identity information contained within an ID token, used primarily for verifying a user’s identity, while an “access token” grants authorization to access specific resources on a server, essentially acting as a key to access protected data based on the user’s permissions; meaning, an ID token tells you who the user is, while an access token tells you what the user is allowed to do.

Key differences: 

  • Purpose: An ID token is used for user authentication, displaying user information on the front-end like name and email, while an access token is used to authorize access to specific resources on a server. 
  • Claims: ID token claims usually include basic user information like name, email, and user ID, while access token claims specify the allowed scopes or permissions for a particular resource. 
  • Usage: A front-end application typically directly reads and displays information from an ID token, while an access token is sent with API requests to the server to verify authorization. 

Example:

  • ID token claim example: When you log in to a website, the ID token might contain your username and email address, which the website can display on your profile page. 
  • Access token claim example: If you want to access your private documents on a cloud storage service, the access token would specify your permission level (read only, read/write) to access those documents. 

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Author: Shahzad Khan

Software developer / Architect

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