Apple plans tighter Mac Full Disk Access controls as AI-agent risks grow
Apple says users will need more explicit actions to grant Full Disk Access, a permission covering files, mail, messages and browsing history. The new interface and rollout date have not been announced.
Apple plans additional controls for macOS Full Disk Access. It says the permission was designed to let backup apps work but largely bypasses privacy protections, potentially exposing files, mail, messages and browsing history without users fully understanding the implications. Communication partners’ privacy may also be affected.
Granting that broad access will require very explicit user action. Apple links the change to increasingly autonomous AI agents, but has not specified the authorization interface, eligible system versions or rollout date. It should not be treated as universally active yet.
TechCrunch reports the announcement amid desktop-agent permission disputes, including allegations about Meta Muse reading private messages that Meta contests. Apple’s announcement confirms a planned permission change; it does not establish that a particular app accessed messages without authorization.
Sources
- Apple says it’s tightening macOS ‘Full Disk Access’ controls due to new risks from AI agents — TechCrunch AI
- Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS - Latest News - Apple Developer — developer.apple.com