Apple announced updates to macOS on October 2, 2026, aimed at tightening security for the Full Disk Access permission. This setting allows applications to access deep-level user data, and the company now requires very explicit user action to grant such access.
The policy change follows public complaints regarding Meta’s Muse AI agent, which launched on Mac in mid-September 2026. Technology columnist Jason Aten reported that the agent accessed his private messages despite the permission not being enabled.
Meta disputed these claims, stating that accessing Messages data requires consent through two layers: Full Disk Access and additional connectors. Apple’s update adds transparency and friction to the permission process to prevent potential misuse by developers.
Following the announcement, Apple shares rose by approximately 2%. The update reinforces Apple’s focus on privacy and establishes the company as a gatekeeper for AI agents operating on its platform.
