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Clipboard Read

clipboardRead
High RiskCategory: Device AccessView Official Docs↗
⚠

Install Warning

"Read data you copy and paste."

Technical Context

Grants read access to the system clipboard, allowing the extension to retrieve text, images, or other data that the user has copied. This works even when the extension is not focused.

What This Means For You

The extension can see anything you copy to your clipboard, including passwords or sensitive text you might copy from other applications.

Related APIs

This permission enables access to these Chrome APIs:

navigator.clipboarddocument.execCommand

Common Use Cases

  • ✓Clipboard managers
  • ✓Paste enhancers
  • ✓Translation tools

⚠ Red Flags When Combined With

<all_urls>tabs

How to Declare in manifest.json

Add the "clipboardRead" permission to your extension manifest:

{
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "name": "My Extension",
  "permissions": [
    "clipboardRead"
  ]
}

What Users Will See

When users install your extension, Chrome will display this warning:

⚠

This extension can:

"Read data you copy and paste."

Related Permissions

Geolocation

geolocation

The extension can find out where you are located, either precisely through GPS or approximately through your internet connection. This is used for local search or mapping features.

high

USB Devices

usb

The extension can communicate with USB devices connected to your computer at a low level. This is used for programming hardware or transferring files to specialized devices.

high

Audio Capture

audioCapture

The extension can listen through your microphone and record audio. This is necessary for voice commands or transcription but means it can hear what you say.

high

Video Capture

videoCapture

The extension can use your webcam to capture video or take photos. This is necessary for video calls but means it can see you when active.

high

Tabs

tabs

The extension can see what websites you have open in all your tabs, even if you are not actively using them. This is necessary for tab managers but means the extension knows your browsing patterns.

high