What does OAuth 2.0 allow third-party applications to do?

OAuth 2.0 is a widely adopted authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access a user's data without needing to obtain the user's credentials directly. This framework is designed to provide limited access to specific resources on behalf of a user.

When a third-party application uses OAuth 2.0, it requests permission to access certain data or services on behalf of the user. The user can grant this permission without sharing their username and password with the third-party application. Instead, after obtaining consent, the application receives an access token that defines the scope of access. This access is typically limited to what the user has authorized, which enhances security and privacy by minimizing the risk of exposing sensitive user information.

The significance of this authorization model lies in its ability to ensure that user data remains protected while still enabling functionality across applications. Therefore, the essence of OAuth 2.0 is about obtaining limited access, which ensures that user control over data is maintained and that third-party applications operate within the boundaries set by the user's consent.