Apple announced it is introducing additional controls for the "Full Disk Access" setting on macOS, citing increased risks associated with AI agents. Full Disk Access is a feature designed to allow system functions, such as backups, to operate correctly by granting apps permission to access files, mail, messages, and browsing history.
The company's decision follows reports regarding the security of desktop-based AI. These include a claim that Meta’s Muse app could read private messages on Mac, and a report from Wired suggesting a flaw in the ChatGPT Mac app could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data.
In a blog post aimed at developers, Apple noted that some developers use Full Disk Access in ways that could expose a user's entire system without their full knowledge or understanding. As AI agents become more autonomous and capable, Apple stated that the risks associated with this level of access are expected to grow substantially.
Moving forward, Apple intends to implement new controls to ensure that users who wish to grant this level of access must do so through very explicit user actions, allowing for more informed decisions regarding data and privacy.
Sources
- Apple says it’s tightening macOS ‘Full Disk Access’ controls due to new risks from AI agents （TechCrunch AI, 2026-10-02）