Apple tightens Mac data access controls after Meta Muse privacy complaints

The dispute centres on Full Disk Access, a macOS permission that gives apps broad access to storage. It was introduced for system-wide backups, according to TechRadar. AI agents have brought new concerns about what software can do with that permission.

Complaints about Meta's Muse put those concerns in focus. Investing.com, carrying reporting by Reuters, reported that Apple would flag AI requests for Mac data after Muse drew complaints. The issue is the access these apps can obtain to private information, not simply their ability to run on a Mac.

Ars Technica reported that Apple's announcement followed criticism from tech columnist Jason Aten two weeks earlier. Its coverage says Apple is changing privacy settings to stop third-party developers from misusing permissions to access message histories.

On October 2, Apple announced plans for additional Full Disk Access controls. Mashable Tech reported that the company was responding to AI agent apps, including Muse, accessing Mac users' private data.

The same day, Investing.com, carrying Reuters reporting, described Apple's plan to flag AI requests for Mac data. That makes transparency about those requests part of the response, alongside tighter permissions.

Also on October 2, Ars Technica reported Apple's stated aim of preventing developers from abusing macOS privacy settings to obtain message histories. The concern extends beyond ordinary files to private communications.

By October 5, The Next Web reported a specific requirement: users would only be able to grant an app Full Disk Access "with very explicit user action". The outlet said Apple had announced the change on its developer news site on October 2.

October 5 coverage from TechRadar also identified a limit to what was known. Apple had confirmed additional controls to protect sensitive data, but had not said when the changes would arrive.

This is an announced change, not a confirmed completed rollout. The Hacker News reported on October 5 that Apple was taking steps to tighten Full Disk Access because of security risks posed by AI agents.

The clearest stated requirements are more explicit user action when granting broad access and greater visibility into AI requests for Mac data, according to The Next Web and the Reuters report carried by Investing.com. The supplied coverage does not establish the full technical design of those controls.

The next concrete milestone is a rollout date. TechRadar reported that none had been announced as of October 5. Further details should also clarify how Apple will flag AI requests and what the required explicit user action will look like.