Apple tightens disk access in macOS due to AI agents

On October 2, 2026, Apple announced that Full Disk Access in macOS will soon only be grantable to an app after a very explicit user action, citing the bypassing of privacy APIs amid the rise of autonomous AI agents as the reason.

Compiled by Sergey KostenchukPublished 2026-10-04Updated 2026-10-04

2026-10-04 Safety OpenAI

🛡 Apple tightens disk access in macOS due to AI agents

According to the Apple Developer note “Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS,” in future macOS versions, “Full Disk Access” will only be grantable to an app after a very explicit user action. Developers, according to it, use it to bypass privacy APIs, exposing files, mail, messages, and browser history.

🌍 Apple officially links the step to the rise of autonomous AI agents for the first time: Meta Muse agent surpassed 5 million downloads, OpenAI is preparing 20 announcements for Dots at DevDay. The mechanisms and timing of the restrictions have not yet been disclosed.

👤 Review full disk access permissions for AI agents and backup utilities: they open files, mail, messages, and browser history. In future macOS versions, it will become significantly harder to grant it.

Source 1: https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=p6zjojqw Source 2: https://9to5mac.com/2026/10/02/apple-says-its-tightening-macos-privacy-controls-amid-the-rise-of-ai-agents/

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