Apple to tighten Mac privacy controls amid rising AI agent risks

New Delhi: Apple is set to tighten controls over Full Disk Access on Mac computers, citing growing privacy risks from increasingly capable AI agent applications that can access large amounts of data stored on users’ devices.

The move follows concerns over apps such as Meta’s Muse, which have highlighted how granting Full Disk Access can allow applications to read extensive local data, including messages and files. The permission was originally designed primarily to enable backup applications and system utilities to function effectively.

Apple said it would introduce more explicit prompts requiring users to take a clear and deliberate action before granting an application such access. The prompts will specify that users are allowing a third-party application to access particular parts of their Mac system.

“We give developers powerful APIs to build incredible capabilities into their apps for Apple products, backed by a set of controls designed to protect users’ private data,” Apple said.

The company noted that Full Disk Access largely bypasses some of those controls because backup applications need broad access to a Mac’s data. However, it said some developers are now using the permission in ways that could expose users to risks by allowing access to information across their systems without users fully understanding the implications.

Apple also warned that the privacy concerns extend beyond the individual user. “For communication apps, this can also compromise the privacy of the people users are communicating with,” the company said.

The technology giant said the risks could increase significantly as AI agents become more capable and autonomous. It said users must be given a clearer understanding of the potential consequences before granting such permissions, enabling them to make informed decisions about access to their data.

AI agents such as Meta’s Muse have recently crossed 5 million downloads. Users have raised concerns about the app’s ability to perform complex tasks, including cancelling unused subscriptions, while potentially accessing information they believed to be private.

Apple has also recently launched Apple in India, expanding its ecosystem in a market where Unified Payments Interface (UPI) accounts for more than 80 per cent of digital payment volume.

With IANS inputs