title: Where can I find a description of BrowserID local verification
body: <p>The <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Persona/FAQ#Can_I_verify_assertions_locally.2C_or_must_I_use_the_remote_verification_service.3F" rel="nofollow">FAQ</a> recommends I don't do local verification of BrowserID (persona) security assertions, however I've never been good at following instructions.  </p>
  
  <p>So... I want to implement local verification anyway.  It looks like the only thing the client libraries pass to the server side is a block of encrypted stuff called an "assertion".   Presumably it is encrypted or signed using some public key encryption scheme, but I'm having trouble finding any details.</p>
  
  <p>Can anyone explain it, or point me to the details?</p>