Apple Will Change macOS Privacy Settings Governing Full Disk Access

Apple said it will change macOS privacy settings governing Full Disk Access as AI agents raise concerns about how users understand app access.

Apple said some developers’ use of the permission could put users at risk by exposing data without their full knowledge. For communication apps, the access can also affect the privacy of people who exchange messages with the user.

The company did not identify any app or developer. Its announcement came after a dispute over whether Meta’s Muse assistant could access Apple Messages without a separate Messages connector enabled.

Meta Chief Technology Officer David Singleton said Muse can read Messages content only when both macOS Full Disk Access and the Messages connector are enabled. Apple’s statement did not address Muse specifically.

The dispute began after columnist Jason Aten said Muse sent an unsolicited notification that referenced a conversation with a co-worker. Aten said he had not granted Muse permission to read his messages and had assumed they were inaccessible.

MacOS security expert Patrick Wardle said Full Disk Access makes non-root files readable, including chats and browsing history. That broad access has fueled questions about whether a separate connector setting alone can prevent an app with the system permission from reading message files.

Apple said the risks from this level of access will grow as AI agents become more capable and autonomous. The company said it wants users to understand those risks before granting access, but gave no timing for the settings change in the announcement.

The announcement continues coverage of the dispute over Muse’s access to Messages.