★ Apple Is Going to Further Tighten the Screws on Full Disk Access on MacOS, in Response to Agentic AI Apps Running Amok
Hopefully Apple has in mind a solution to this situation that will still enable knowledgeable power users to confirm agreement to a sufficiently scary warning and put their Macs in a state similar to what we have today. I worry.
Apple is planning to tighten the rules surrounding Full Disk Access on MacOS, in response to concerns over AI apps causing issues for users. While developers have been given powerful APIs to create innovative apps, some have been using Full Disk Access in ways that put user privacy at risk. This includes exposing files, emails, messages, and browsing history without users' awareness or approval.
As AI agents become more autonomous, the risks associated with Full Disk Access will increase, and Apple is committed to ensuring users understand these risks before granting such access. This move is likely in response to AI apps like Meta Muse, Grok Bot, Claude, and Dots causing problems for users, leading to frustration among Mac users.
While technical users appreciate the power of Full Disk Access for their work, many non-technical users don't understand the implications of granting such access. Some Mac users have already complained about these AI agents accessing their data, despite Apple's best efforts to protect them. With around 150 million Mac users worldwide, many of whom are not technically savvy, this change could be a significant shift for Apple.
However, the company needs to find a balance that caters to both power users and casual users, without compromising the overall user experience.
Written by urgent.news from Daring Fireball's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
