Show Customer Authorization Status

[elgobay]

What is the purpose of the: Authorization: Left/Right column in Admin Settings?
I'm trying to be able to show my customers their authorization status on their account page when they login.
Additionally: I would like only Approved (customer_authorization_0) customers to see a link, Example: For approved customers; here is a link to your file, elseif "You are not approved to view this file".
This is what I've tried without the elseif statement but no luck;
<?php
if ($customers->fields['customers_authorization_0'] == 0) {
?>
<li><?php echo ' <a href="/products/products.zip">Products Data Download</a>'; ?></li>
<?php } //endif approved account ?>

Zen-cart 1.5.1
Thank you