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| -rw-r--r-- | docs/specification.rst | 27 |
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diff --git a/docs/specification.rst b/docs/specification.rst index d7285328d9..b679c8cb6e 100644 --- a/docs/specification.rst +++ b/docs/specification.rst @@ -118,18 +118,31 @@ once and then use that ID on subsequent requests. | domain.com | | Mappings: | | #matrix >> !aaabaa:matrix.org | - | #golf >> !wfeiofh:sport.com | - | #bike >> !4rguxf:matrix.org | + | #golf >> !wfeiofh:sport.com | + | #bike >> !4rguxf:matrix.org | |________________________________| Identity -------- -- Identity in relation to 3PIDs. Discovery of users based on 3PIDs. -- Identity servers; trusted clique of servers which replicate content. -- They govern the mapping of 3PIDs to user IDs and the creation of said mappings. -- Not strictly required in order to communicate. - +Users in Matrix are identified via their user ID. However, existing ID namespaces +can also be used in order to identify Matrix users. A Matrix "Identity" describes +both the user ID and any other existing ID namespaces *linked* to their account. + +Matrix users can *link* third-party IDs (3PIDs) such as email addresses, social +network accounts and phone numbers to their +user ID. Linking 3PIDs creates a mapping from a 3PID to a user ID. This mapping +can then be used by other Matrix users in order to discover other users, according +to a strict set of privacy permissions. + +In order to ensure that the mapping from 3PID to user ID is genuine, dedicated +trusted servers called "Identity Servers" (IS) are used to perform authentication +of the 3PID. Identity servers are also used to preserve the mapping indefinitely, +by replicating the mappings across multiple ISes. + +Usage of an IS is not required in order for a client application to be part of +the Matrix ecosystem. However, by not using an IS, discovery of users is greatly +impacted. API Standards ------------- |