---
name: "sq-key-approvals"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "sequoia-sq"
version: "1.4.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/sq-key-approvals"
---

# sq-key-approvals(1)

Manages certification approvals

## NAME

sq-key-approvals - Manages certification approvals

## SYNOPSIS

**sq key approvals list** \[*OPTIONS*\]  \
 **sq key approvals update** \[*OPTIONS*\]

## DESCRIPTION

Manages certification approvals.

Key holders may approve of third-party certifications associated with their certificate.  This subcommand manages the approvals.

To prevent certificate flooding attacks, modern key servers prevent uncontrolled distribution of third-party certifications on certificates.  To allow the key holder to control what information is distributed with their certificate, these key servers only distribute third-party certifications that the key holder has explicitly approved.

## SUBCOMMANDS

### sq key approvals list

Lists third-party certifications and their approval status.

To prevent certificate flooding attacks, modern key servers prevent uncontrolled distribution of third-party certifications on certificates.  To allow the key holder to control what information is distributed with their certificate, these key servers only distribute third-party certifications that the key holder has explicitly approved.

### sq key approvals update

Approves of third-party certifications allowing for their distribution.

To prevent certificate flooding attacks, modern key servers prevent uncontrolled distribution of third-party certifications on certificates.  To allow the key holder to control what information is distributed with their certificate, these key servers only distribute third-party certifications that the key holder has explicitly approved.

By default, all user IDs are considered, but if at least one \`--name\`, \`--email\`, or \`--userid\` argument is given, only the matching user IDs are considered.

After the approvals have been changed, the certificate has to be distributed, e.g. by uploading it to a key server.

## EXAMPLES

### sq key approvals list

Lists the approved certifications on all the user IDs.

```
sq key approvals list \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

Lists the unapproved certifications on all the user IDs.

```
sq key approvals list --pending \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

Lists all unapproved certifications on a given user ID.

```
sq key approvals list --pending --email=alice@example.org \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

### sq key approvals update

Approve of all of the certifications on all of Alice's user IDs.

```
sq key approvals update --add-all \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

Approve of all of the certifications on all of Alice's user IDs made by Bob, discarding all prior approvals first.

```
sq key approvals update --remove-all \
--add-by=511257EBBF077B7AEDAE5D093F68CB84CE537C9A \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

Approve of all of the certifications on a specific user ID by certifiers that can be authenticated, discarding all prior approvals first.

```
sq key approvals update --remove-all --add-authenticated \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0 \
--userid="Alice <alice@example.org>"
```

Remove the approval of Bob's certification on all of Alice's user IDs.

```
sq key approvals update \
--remove-by=511257EBBF077B7AEDAE5D093F68CB84CE537C9A \
--cert=EB28F26E2739A4870ECC47726F0073F60FD0CBF0
```

## SEE ALSO

[**sq**(1)](/sq/1.md), [**sq-key**(1)](/sq-key/1.md), [**sq-key-approvals-list**(1)](/sq-key-approvals-list/1.md), [**sq-key-approvals-update**(1)](/sq-key-approvals-update/1.md).

For the full documentation see \<https://book.sequoia-pgp.org/\>.

## VERSION

1\.4.1