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Authorization constraint defining the permissions encoded in a token; should be minimal and explicit.

Definition

Scopes define what an access token permits (e.g., read vs write, specific resources). Well-designed scopes support least privilege and transparent consent.

In plain English Authorization constraint defining the permissions encoded in a token; should be minimal and explicit.

Why this matters

Why it matters: Over-broad scopes increase privacy risk and expand the impact of token theft.

Example

Example: Use granular scopes like “calendar.read” instead of “calendar.*”, and present them clearly to users.