Apple tightens macOS Full Disk Access over AI agent risks

On October 2, 2026, Apple published a post titled "Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS" on its Developer News site, announcing that it will add new controls around the Full Disk Access permission in macOS. TechCrunch, Unite.AI, cnBeta and Techmeme all carried the story on October 3. Unite.AI dated Apple's statement to October 2, while the other accounts reported it the following day; none of them included a launch date for the new controls.

Apple's stated reasoning is that Full Disk Access largely bypasses the protections the system already puts in place, and that some developers are using the permission in ways that could put users at risk. The company warned that broad access to users' files, messages, mail and browsing history is becoming riskier as AI agents grow more capable and autonomous, and that the risks tied to that level of access will rise along with them. cnBeta described the move as adding new security mechanisms intended to reduce the privacy risks that appear once AI agents obtain wide access to system data. Apple did not say what form the controls will take or when they will take effect.

Techmeme noted that the announcement came days after a journalist claimed that Meta's Muse app on Mac had read their private messages — a claim Meta disputed. Apple's post itself does not mention that episode.