def algorithm_is_asymmetric(algorithm):
    """This is a simple method to verify the need to provide a private key to
    a given ``algorithm``, as `documented by PyJWT
    <https://pyjwt.readthedocs.io/en/latest/algorithms.html>`_

    :param algorithm: the given algorithm, like HS256, ES384, RS512, PS256, etc
    :return: True if algorithm is asymmetric
    """
    return algorithm.lower()[:2] in ('rs', 'es', 'ps')
