Apple to tighten macOS Full Disk Access, citing AI agent risks

#What happened

On October 2, 2026, Apple said in a post on its Developer News site, titled "Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS," that it will introduce additional controls around Full Disk Access in macOS.

#What changes

• Full Disk Access is the macOS permission that lets an app read files, mail, messages, Safari history, Time Machine backups, and certain administrative settings for all users on a Mac.
• Apple said some developers are using the permission "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." When the apps involved handle communications, Apple said, the exposure can extend to the privacy of the people a user is communicating with.
• The coming controls will let users grant an app this level of access only through "very explicit user action," so they clearly understand the risks before granting it.
• Apple gave no date or macOS version for the change and named no developer or app.

#Why it matters

• Apple: "As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially."
• The move follows reports that Meta's Muse agent quietly synced more than 187,000 rows of a journalist's private iMessage history from his Mac. Muse has surpassed 5 million downloads, and users complained it was accessing private messages without clear consent.
• The Verge's hands-on review of OpenAI's Dot notes it "reaches into your personal computer" — exactly the class of access Apple wants explicitly gated.
• Verified October 3, 2026.

#Sources

• Apple to tighten macOS Full Disk Access, citing AI agent risks – Unite.AI
• Apple tightens Mac disk access rules after an AI agent read private messages – Startup Fortune
• Apple to tighten Full Disk Access on Mac after AI agent concerns – IANS