Apple says it will add controls on macOS Full Disk Access, citing AI agents, without a date.

In a developer post of 2 October, Apple said some developers use Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, and that users will only be able to grant it by very explicit action.

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Apple published "Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS" on its developer news page on 2 October 2026. It said Full Disk Access "largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac", the controls being those that protect users' private data.

Apple said some developers use it in ways that could expose files, mail, messages and browsing history without users' full knowledge. It said "Going forward, we will introduce additional controls" so that users can grant this access only "with very explicit user action".

Apple wrote that "As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially."

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1 Updates to Full Disk Access in macOSApple Developer · 2 Oct 2026 · 5 facts

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Apple Developer published "Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS", dated October 2, 2026.

Updates to Full Disk Access in macOS October 2, 2026
Apple wrote: "Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac." The controls are "a set of controls designed to protect users' private data".

backed by a set of controls designed to protect users’ private data. Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac.
Apple wrote: "Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users' full knowledge and understanding."

Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users’ full knowledge and understanding.
Apple wrote: "Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action."

Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action.
Apple wrote: "As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially."

As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially.

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