Tech
Apple is changing Full Disk Access in macOS
Publication: Six Colors
Author: Dan Moren
Source published: 05/10/2026, 13:22:52 UTC
Briefing created: 06/10/2026, 07:50:31 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/10/2026, 02:31:25 UTC.
Briefings
Apple announced in October 2026 that it will restrict Full Disk Access permissions on macOS by requiring explicit user action for apps requesting this power. This change aims to mitigate risks from autonomous AI agents accessing granular user data, though the specific implementation details remain unclear. The article notes that while iOS restricts certain system areas, macOS allows apps like Terminal, BBEdit, and SuperDuper to access all permissions, creating a trade-off between security and functionality. The author expresses skepticism about Apple's user experience design and suggests the move may be a response to Meta's Muse incident, but acknowledges the difficulty of balancing security with user convenience.
Key points
- Apple announced in October 2026 that Full Disk Access permissions on macOS will require explicit user action for apps requesting this power, unlike iOS which allows unrestricted access to certain system areas.
- The article cites a specific incident where Meta's Muse app accessed user Messages despite lacking Full Disk Access, prompting Apple's response to prevent similar autonomous data access risks.
Context and limitations
The article's specific implementation details of the new controls remain unclear, and the author admits uncertainty about the exact nature of the changes. Coverage is limited to the developer news post and a single author's analysis, with no official confirmation from Apple.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 06/10/2026, 07:50:31 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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