Apple says it’s tightening macOS ‘Full Disk Access’ controls due to new risks from AI agents
Apple is tightening 'Full Disk Access' security controls on macOS in response to privacy concerns involving AI agents. The move follows reports of AI apps accessing sensitive user data without explicit permission.
Why it matters
As AI agents become more autonomous, ensuring user privacy and data security on personal computers is becoming a critical challenge for tech companies.
Days after a journalist claimed that Meta’s Muse app on Mac read their private messages — a claim that Meta disputed — Apple announced that it’s introducing additional controls around a setting called “Full Disk Access” on macOS. The feature was designed to allow backups to function properly, but AI agents have now increased “the risks associated with this level of access,” Apple said.
Apple’s statement comes shortly after Inc. columnist Jason Aten reported that Muse knew the content of his private messages — even though he claimed to have not given the AI agent permission. The report raised questions about the level of security and trust users have in desktop-based AI, which can control things on their systems and read their files and messages.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in