What is the URL parameter "clientSideAuth" used for in Power BI Cloud?

[CarlosZubiran]

Greetings, I would like to know what the URL parameter "clientSideAuth=0" does? Currently our team is having issues with dashboards to reports. The error would come up for some users that shows an Owl or Penguin. This seems to not affect all users the same. But if the clientSideAuth=0 is used in the URL it fixes the issue. Any insights from anyone?

[CarlosZubiran]

@v-shex-msft  Could you include the link that you found on this. This was also related I think to an outage on Power BI as well reguarding this error and work around. We have raised an issue with Microsoft. Thank you.

[v-shex-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @CarlosZubiran,

I search on hte network and find clientSideAuth means: Client-side authentication is when authentication checks are performed completely at users’ side. The idea is that the authentication procedures, methods, or codes are delivered to the client, where they are executed to determine whether a user has access. 

Some malicious user/scripts may chances of authentication bypass, and case the sensitive information disclosure and credentials leakages.

I suppose some web browsers may blocked these type of unsafe parameter usage based on above considers.
Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng