Apple to Restrict Mac Disk Access Due to Rising AI Security Risks

Apple is set to implement new restrictions on “full disk access” for Mac users, responding to concerns about the potential risks posed by AI agents. In a recent announcement, Apple stated that it will introduce new controls to ensure that users who want to grant an app this high level of access must do so through clear and explicit actions.

This decision follows a situation where a user discovered that Meta’s Muse AI had knowledge of his messages without having granted explicit permission for access on his iPhone or Mac. A Meta representative clarified that access to Messages is entirely opt-in, emphasizing that users must enable both Full Disk Access and the Messages connector for Muse to read their message content.

Apple is now taking steps to address how developers utilize this extensive access, noting that:

> 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… As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially.

Full disk access is a permission on macOS that allows an app to access a user’s entire system. Apple mentioned that this feature often bypasses privacy controls designed to protect users, enabling backup apps to operate effectively on Mac. However, the company has not specified when the update regarding full disk access will be rolled out.