Apple said it is adding controls around the macOS Full Disk Access setting, citing the risks AI agents pose when they can reach sensitive data. TechCrunch's Sarah Perez reported the announcement on October 2.
What Apple announced
Full Disk Access was built so backups work properly, and it lets an app reach files, mail, messages and browsing history. Apple said AI agents have increased the risks associated with this level of access. In a developer blog post, Apple said: “Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk.” Going forward, users who want to give an app this level of access must take “very explicit user action.” Apple said that as AI agents become more capable and autonomous, the risks of broad access will grow substantially, and that it wants users to understand those risks before granting access.
What is not known
The article gives no details on how the new controls will work and no shipping date. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. The author also clarified that the change reflects informed consent and is not a new limit, correcting an earlier description of it as limiting permissions.
The Muse context
Days before the announcement, Inc. columnist Jason Aten reported that Meta's Muse app on Mac knew the content of his private messages even though he said he never gave it permission. Meta disputed the claim, and Muse optionally lets users enable Full Disk Access. The article also cites a Wired report that a flaw in ChatGPT's Mac app could have let hackers access sensitive data. Apple did not name Muse or any developer in its post.
Why it matters
The move shows platform owners starting to set the terms for how far third-party agents can reach into a device, a theme that also runs through this month's reporting on agent permissions at Meta, Walmart and JPMorgan.
Source: TechCrunch. This is an AI Business Watch summary of the original report.