What is OAuth? And how it works

OAuth, short for Open Authorization, is a protocol that facilitates secure, limited data sharing between apps without revealing user credentials, by using tokens as temporary keys to access specific data as authorized by the user. This system is commonly used in scenarios like single sign-on and app-to-app integrations, allowing applications to request and gain access to data from other services without needing to store or handle passwords. OAuth's role is increasingly critical in the age of AI agents, which automate these connections on behalf of users, ensuring each application interaction is logged and permissions are tightly controlled for security. This ensures that apps, including AI tools, only obtain the minimum access necessary, with a clear audit trail maintained, making OAuth a vital component of modern digital infrastructure, particularly when integrated with platforms like Zapier that manage these connections securely and efficiently.