Apple announced Friday that it will implement stricter controls governing how applications request and utilize full disk access on macOS systems. The company stated the new measures aim to require users to take explicit action before granting applications such broad permissions to their systems.
The move follows recent concerns about how third-party applications handle sensitive data access. Earlier reporting by Inc indicated that Meta’s Muse AI had gained knowledge of private messages despite users not explicitly authorizing such access on their devices. A Meta spokesperson disputed the characterization, noting that access to Messages requires users to independently enable both full disk access and a specific Messages connector within the application.
Apple characterized the current state of full disk access permissions as problematic, stating that certain developers have leveraged this capability in ways that could compromise user security. The company noted that the permission grants applications access to nearly all system contents, including files, email, messages, and browsing records, often without adequate user awareness. Apple explained that while the feature was originally designed to allow backup applications to function properly on Mac systems, it essentially bypasses standard privacy protections.
The technology company emphasized that the risks associated with such broad system access will intensify as artificial intelligence agents become more capable and independent. However, Apple did not provide a specific timeline for when the updated access controls would be deployed to users. The initiative reflects growing industry attention to how AI applications handle permissions and access to sensitive personal information.
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