Key facts
- Apple is tightening controls on macOS Full Disk Access due to risks from AI agents.
- The feature allows apps access to files, mail, messages, and browsing history.
- A recent report claimed Meta's Muse app accessed private messages without permission.
- A flaw in ChatGPT's Mac app was also cited as a potential data access risk.
- Apple will require "very explicit user action" to grant this level of access.
Apple is enhancing security measures for its macOS operating system by implementing stricter controls on the "Full Disk Access" feature. This decision comes in response to growing concerns about the potential misuse of this powerful permission by AI agents, which can grant applications extensive access to user data.
The move follows a report by a journalist who claimed that Meta's Muse app on Mac accessed their private messages despite not having explicit permission. While Meta disputed the claim, it highlighted the security implications of desktop-based AI. Additionally, a Wired report cited a flaw in ChatGPT's Mac app that could have potentially exposed sensitive data to hackers.