Apple to update macOS Full Disk Access controls to mitigate AI agent risks

Apple has announced plans to implement stricter controls for the 'Full Disk Access' permission on macOS in response to the rise of autonomous AI agents. Currently, this permission allows apps to bypass standard privacy protections to access sensitive data like emails, messages, and browsing history, a feature originally intended for backup software. Apple expressed concern that developers are increasingly leveraging this access for AI tools, such as Meta's Muse, potentially exposing user data without explicit awareness of the risks. The company stated that as AI agents become more autonomous, the danger of granting broad system access grows. Consequently, Apple will introduce new, more explicit user verification steps to ensure that individuals fully understand the privacy implications before granting third-party applications such extensive control over their systems. This move aims to balance the utility of powerful AI assistants with the necessity of maintaining robust user data privacy.