Apple announced it will tighten Full Disk Access permissions in macOS, requiring more explicit consent before apps can access sensitive system data. The change, detailed by Apple Developer, aims to address risks from increasingly autonomous AI agents.
Full Disk Access lets apps read files, mail, messages, and browsing history. It was designed for backup tools like Time Machine, but Apple said some developers have used it in ways that could harm privacy. “As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially,” Apple said.
The announcement follows TechCrunch reports that journalist Jason Aten claimed Meta’s Muse app read his private messages — a claim Meta denied — and that a vulnerability in ChatGPT’s Mac app could have let hackers access sensitive data. 9to5Mac noted that persistent AI agents like Muse and OpenAI’s Dots often request broad access to personal data.
Apple has not said when the new controls will arrive or exactly how the authorization flow will change, according to MacRumors.