Days after reporters claimed that Meta’s Muse app on the Mac read their private messages — a claim that Meta disputed — Apple announced that it was introducing additional controls over a setting called “Full Disk Access” in macOS. The feature was designed to allow backups to work properly, but now AI agents have added “risks associated with this level of access,” Apple said.
Apple’s statement came shortly after Inc. Jason Aten report That Muse knows the content of his private messages – even though he claims not to authorize an AI agent. The report raises questions about the level of security and trust users have in desktop AI, which can control things on their systems and read their files and messages.
The decision to limit Mac features also comes after a Wired report Claims that a flaw in ChatGPT’s Mac app could allow hackers to access sensitive data.
Desktop AI agents allow users to provide their respective apps with access to files, messages, and other personal content on their computers by adjusting macOS settings.
In the case of Muse, the optional AI allows users to enable Full Disk Access. This setting, Apple explains, allows apps to access files, mail, messages, and even browsing history.
“Some developers are using Full Disk Access in a way that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems … without the user’s full knowledge and understanding,” Apple said. In a new blog post aimed at developers.
The company said that, moving forward, it will introduce new controls aimed at ensuring that users who “really want to give apps this special level of access” can only do so with “very specific user actions.”
“This solution is important. As AI agents become more capable and independent, the risks associated with this level of access will grow significantly. We are committed to ensuring that users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make decisions about their own data and privacy,” Apple wrote.
Apple did not respond to TechCrunch’s inquiries about the feature change.
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