AI apps can reach far beyond the data Mac users intend to share, which has prompted Apple to take action and require clearer consent before granting access.
On Friday, Apple announced plans to tighten Full Disk Access controls on the Mac as AI agents gain access to sensitive personal information. The permission lets apps bypass privacy protections and could expose messages, email, files, and browsing history.
Recent incidents involving Meta’s Muse and other agents illustrate the risks. Not only can they access sensitive information, OpenAI recently fixed a bug in its Mac app that could have allowed its agent to become corrupted and run malicious commands on behalf of an attacker.
For Mac users, granting Full Disk Access can also expose private information belonging to anyone they communicate with. Apple says its upcoming controls will require explicit user action, making the risks clearer before access is granted.
The full text, which is posted as an update to its developer website, is as follows:
We give developers powerful APIs to build incredible capabilities into their apps for Apple products, backed by a set of controls designed to protect users’ private data. Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac. Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems-including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history-without users’ full knowledge and understanding. For communication apps, this can also compromise the privacy of the people users are communicating with.
Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action. Addressing this is critical. As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially. We are committed to ensuring users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make informed decisions about their own data and privacy.
There’s no word when Apple will roll out the new “Full Disk Access” controls.
This story originally appeared on Appleinsider
