Apple announced plans to restrict the Full Disk Access permission on macOS. This feature currently allows applications to read files, emails, messages, and browser history. The company intends to implement new controls to ensure that granting such broad access requires explicit user action.
The decision follows concerns regarding AI agents, which often request extensive local access to provide personalized assistance. Apple noted that some developers utilize this permission for purposes beyond its original intent, which was primarily for backup software.
The update comes after a report by columnist Jason Aten regarding Meta's Muse AI. The report claimed the AI accessed 187 000 rows of message data without explicit permission. Meta disputed this, stating that accessing messages requires both Full Disk Access and an app-level connector.
Apple has not yet provided specific details on how the new controls will function or when they will be released. The company emphasized that granting such permissions can compromise the privacy of both the user and the individuals they communicate with.
