What can an AI agent do with
View and download shared files?
Lets the agent see and download files shared in the channels and conversations the app has been added to, so it can read what is inside them.
How to spot it
On a Slack connection or settings screen, this is files:read.
With it, an agent can
- List files shared in its conversations
- Look up details about a specific file
- Download files and read their contents
It cannot, on its own
- Upload, change, or delete files (that needs files:write)
What a bad day looks like
The agent opens a contract or spreadsheet shared in a channel and passes its contents to someone who should not see it.
Set it up safer
- Add the app only to channels whose files it needs
- Share sensitive files in channels the app is not in
Ask the company selling the agent
- Do you copy or store my files?
- Which file types does the agent open?
- Can I see a log of files it accessed?
Source
Checked against Slack documentation on 2026-09-28. All Slack permissions →
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This page explains what a permission allows. It does not describe, test or rate any product. Permission details are summarized in our own words from the provider's documentation, linked on the page; providers change their documentation, so check the source before you rely on a detail.