Apple is adding new privacy safeguards for Mac users as AI agents get more powerful
Apple plans new macOS controls requiring more explicit user action before apps can access emails, messages, browsing history, and personal files.
Apple is set to introduce new privacy safeguards for Mac users, particularly for those granting Full Disk Access to applications. The company's concern stems from the growing capabilities of AI agents, which could pose a heightened risk when given extensive access to sensitive information like emails, private messages, browsing history, and other personal files.
Apple explained that some developers are exploiting the Full Disk Access feature in ways that might not fully inform users about the extent of access they are granting. In response, Apple plans to introduce additional controls, ensuring that users who want to grant such broad access to an app must do so with explicit action. The new safeguards aim to mitigate the risks associated with increased autonomy of AI agents, which could make the potential harm from unrestricted access more severe.
Apple has not disclosed the specifics of the new privacy controls or their timeline for implementation. The company emphasized that while these changes are not exclusively for AI agents, the potential risks will grow as these agents become more capable and autonomous. The Full Disk Access setting was initially intended to facilitate backup operations on Macs, but as AI agents evolve, the risks linked to their permissions have become a growing concern.
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