• Success Criterion 3.3.8
  • Conformance level AA

Email Magic-Link Login That’s Broken or Expires Instantly

3.3.8 — Accessible Authentication (Minimum)

Scenario

Setting

A hotel booking site's room-selection page

What’s wrong

Email magic-link offered but broken/expired instantly, leaving cognitive-test path as the only working method.

Example

On a hotel booking site's room-selection page: email magic-link offered but broken/expired instantly, leaving cognitive-test path as the only working method.

Why it matters

People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste. The practical effect on a hotel booking site's room-selection page: they can't complete sign-in without help.

How to test

Try the email magic-link login alternative: if it's broken or expires almost instantly, leaving the cognitive-test method as the only working path, it fails.

How to fix

Login must work with paste and password managers — any cognitive test must have a non-cognitive alternative method.

Outcome

That one change on a hotel booking site's room-selection page means they sign in without a memory test.

Who is affected

People with cognitive disabilities and anyone who depends on password managers or paste.

Learn more