Users in Multiple Apps

What happens if a user is in multiple apps powered by Tuku Pay?

When designing a system where a user can belong to multiple apps, it's important to consider flexibility, scalability, and data integrity. Here are some best practices for managing users who are associated with multiple apps:

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1. Use a Many-to-Many Relationship

• Design your database to allow users to be linked to multiple apps.

  • Create a Users Table with unique user information (e.g., userId, name, phone, email).

  • Create an Apps Table with unique app information (e.g., appId, app name, description).

  • Use a User-App Mapping Table (or join table) to link users to apps. This table should include:

    • userId

    • appId

    • Role or permissions (if needed).

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2. Roles and Permissions Per App

• Define user roles and permissions for each app. A user may have different roles in different apps (e.g., admin in one app and viewer in another).

• Store roles in the User-App Mapping Table for flexibility:

  {
    "userId": "user123",
    "appId": "app456",
    "role": "admin"
  }

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3. Centralized User Identity

• Maintain a global user identity:

  • Users have a single global profile (name, phone, KYC, etc.) shared across all apps.

  • App-specific details (e.g., role, permissions, preferences) are stored in the mapping table.

• This avoids duplicating user data across apps and allows users to update their profile centrally.

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4. App-Specific Context

• When interacting with your API, include the appId in the request to provide app-specific context. For example:

  • Request Body for Transactions:

    {
      "userId": "user123",
      "appId": "app456",
      "transactionAmount": 100.0
    }

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5. Consistent Account Numbers

• Assign a global account number to each user, regardless of the app. This simplifies integration while allowing app-specific operations.

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6. App-Agnostic User Features

• Users who interact with multiple apps should retain app-agnostic features (e.g., wallet balance, KYC status).

• Allow apps to retrieve only the subset of user data relevant to them for privacy and security.

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7. Handling Duplicate Registrations

• Avoid registering the same user multiple times for different apps. Instead:

  • Check if a user exists globally based on their phone or email.

  • Link the existing user to the new app in the User-App Mapping Table.

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8. Data Privacy and Security

• Limit app owners' access to user data. App owners should see only the data specific to their app.

• Use access controls and role-based authorization.

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Example Workflow for a Multi-App User

User Registration Flow

1. Step 1: A new user registers for App A:

   • The system creates the user globally and links them to App A.

   • Role: Admin.

2. Step 2: The same user registers for App B:

   • The system recognizes the existing user (based on phone/email).

   • Links the user to App B.

   • Role: Viewer.

Request Example for App A

{
  "userId": "user123",
  "appId": "appA",
  "action": "view_balance"
}

Request Example for App B{

  "userId": "user123",
  "appId": "appB",
  "action": "create_transaction"
}

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By following these practices, you can effectively manage users across multiple apps while maintaining data integrity and providing app-specific flexibility. Let me know if you'd like help implementing this in your API!