Apple to Tighten macOS Full Disk Access, Citing AI Agent Risks

Apple said on October 2, 2026, that it will introduce additional controls around Full Disk Access in macOS, stating in a post on its Developer News site that some developers are using the permission in ways that could put users at risk and that the risks tied to that level of access will grow as AI agents become more capable and autonomous.

The post, titled “Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS,” said Full Disk Access largely bypasses the controls that back Apple’s developer APIs so that backup apps can work properly on the Mac. According to Apple, some developers are using the permission in ways that could put users at risk by exposing everything on their systems, including files, mail, messages, and browsing history, without users’ full knowledge and understanding.

When the apps involved handle communications, Apple said, the exposure can extend to the privacy of the people a user is communicating with. Apple said the coming controls will ensure that users who genuinely want to grant an app this level of access can do so only through “very…