Apple Is Tightening macOS Full Disk Access Because of AI Agents

Summary

Apple says it will add stricter controls to Full Disk Access on macOS, requiring “very explicit user action” before an app can read your files, mail, messages, and browsing history. The move follows reports of AI apps reaching private data without clear permission, including a flaw in ChatGPT’s Mac app. Apple did not give a rollout date.

Why it matters

Plenty of people have clicked “Allow” on Full Disk Access for an AI helper without a second thought. This is Apple admitting that this habit is a real risk now.

HTD Says

If you have granted Full Disk Access to any AI app on your Mac, today is a good day to open System Settings and check who has it, because Apple clearly thinks most of us have been too casual about it. Not surprised about this at all. Security permissions are something that many people just move through quickly when installing an app, similar to the Terms and Conditions or License Agreement (when was the last time you actually looked at those).

While it’s a good move to lock down Full Disk Access, I wonder how this will be handled for apps that already have access. Will we get prompted to re-grant access? If so, I sense a lot of grumbling or panicking coming around this. Will previously granted apps just sail on through? I doubt it.

I will have to review my own Mac app (AppAudit) that does ask for permissions. But when I built it, I wanted the permission review and granting to be extremely clear and transparent, so I added a dedicated panel that explains it. Still, I’m sure I will have to update the app.

Source:

TechCrunch