Mobile apps can guide users, but they should not authorize system truth. 🔍
In mobile systems, the app runs on a device the backend does not fully control. That means backend systems should not blindly trust values sent from the client, even when the request comes from the official app.
Fields like pricing, ownership, eligibility, KYC state, refund status, retry safety, and risk decisions should be derived or verified server-side.
The better model is simple:
The client describes intent.
The backend verifies truth.
Before committing anything irreversible, the backend should validate:
- user authentication
- object ownership
- permissions
- lifecycle state
- idempotency
- replay safety
- risk context
This becomes especially important in fintech, mobile security, and API-driven systems where a trusted-looking mobile request can still carry manipulated or stale state.
I wrote the full article here:
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