Apple changes full-disk access permissions to curb abuse from AI agents

Apple is modifying macOS privacy settings to restrict third-party AI agents from accessing user message histories. This follows public outcry after a Meta AI agent allegedly referenced private messages without explicit user intent.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing tension between AI integration and user privacy, forcing operating system developers to tighten security protocols against autonomous software.
AUTONOMOUS MESSAGE SNOOPING Apple changes full-disk access permissions to curb abuse from AI agents Meta says FDA isn’t sufficient to Muse reading messages. Apple begs to differ.
61 Credit: Aurich Lawson Credit: Aurich Lawson Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Apple says it is changing its macOS privacy settings to stop third-party app developers from misusing them to access message histories.
Also covering this story
4 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Apple says it’s tightening macOS ‘Full Disk Access’ controls due to new risks from AI agents
Apple will limit Mac disk access as AI agents ‘substantially’ increase risk
Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS
Apple is adding new privacy safeguards for Mac users as AI agents get more powerful
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