Apple Tightens macOS Full Disk Access Controls Over AI Agent Risks
Apple is adding new controls to macOS Full Disk Access, requiring explicit user action to grant apps access, citing increased risks from AI agents.
Apple announced it is introducing additional controls around the macOS "Full Disk Access" setting, citing increased risks posed by AI agents. The company said it will add new restrictions so that users who wish to grant an app Full Disk Access can do so only through very explicit user action.
In a blog post aimed at developers, Apple detailed the change, which tightens how apps can obtain broad permission to read files across a Mac. Full Disk Access is a sensitive macOS privacy setting that, once granted, allows an app to access data that would otherwise be off-limits.
The move follows recent scrutiny of AI agents on the Mac. Days before the announcement, a journalist claimed that Meta's Muse app read their private messages, a claim Meta disputed. Inc. columnist Jason Aten reported that Muse knew the content of his private messages even though he said he had not given the AI agent permission.
Separately, a Wired report cited that a flaw in ChatGPT's Mac app could have allowed hackers to access sensitive data. Apple's new controls appear designed to reduce the chance that an AI agent gains broad file access without a clear, deliberate user decision.
The change was first reported by techcrunch.com.
Quick answers
What did Apple announce about macOS Full Disk Access?
Apple said it is introducing additional controls and new restrictions so that granting an app Full Disk Access requires very explicit user action.
Why is Apple tightening Full Disk Access?
Apple said AI agents have increased the risks associated with Full Disk Access.
Where did Apple explain the change?
Apple published a blog post aimed at developers about the change.