System Preferences can't alter Files and Folders

I am trying to set some privileges for apps to access folders using System Preferences->Security & Privacy and choosing Files and Folders.

However clicking on the buttons for an app has no effect and the + and - icons are greyed out. (Just before this clicking on the button for an app would change the button for another app0.

I am on macOS 11.6.1 and have the same issue in Safe Mode and also with a new admin user.

How do I change the permissions for files and folders

Solution 1:

In this case I partially solved it by updating macOS from, BigSur to Monterey.

I can update apps in the list changing their access by clicking on the boxes. I can remove apps from the list using the - button at the bottom.

Apps can put themselves back on the list

I originally thought that the = button works but now it seems not to. Also the - button does appear to be slightly brighter so the + button might still be greyed out (the contrast is bad here) Not really a fix.