What are application tokens used for in Slack?

Application tokens are essential for authenticating requests made to the Slack API by applications. They serve as a unique identifier that enables third-party applications to interact securely with Slack's resources, ensuring that the requests made by these applications are legitimate and authorized. By using application tokens, Slack can verify the identity of the applications accessing its data and functionalities, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of user information and workspace data.

While other options may seem relevant, they do not accurately represent the function of application tokens. For example, premium features and file size limits are not related to the authentication process of the API, and usage statistics would not require an application token for access. Therefore, understanding the role of application tokens is critical for effectively leveraging Slack's APIs and developing compliant applications.