Optimize data for large datasets

**Feature request**
It would be great to have compression for auth.

**Use case**
Many users need this functionality for production deployments.

**Implementation idea**
Add a new config option `enable_compression` with default `false`.

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Start by locating authentication data handling and configuration parsing, then clarify what data compression covers and how it interacts with auth. Done should include an enable_compression option defaulting to false, with the intended production behavior verified.

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