09:04Machine-translated from Azerbaijani by AIRead in Azerbaijani
Apple to Require Separate Consent for Third-Party Apps to Access Disks in macOS
Apple will strengthen controls over Full Disk Access in macOS. The company attributes this move to new privacy risks created by artificial intelligence (AI) agents running on desktop computers. Previously intended mainly for backup software, this permission will now require clearer and more informed user consent.
Full disk access means that an app can read files, emails, messages, and browser history on the computer. To function properly, backup software can use this permission to bypass most standard privacy restrictions. AI agents can also take advantage of this access to perform tasks independently and process personal data as additional information while working. The issue came to the fore after Jason Aten made an allegation about Meta-owned Muse. Aten said that although he had not given explicit permission, the app knew the contents of private conversations stored in the Messages database on his computer. Meta denied the allegation. According to the company, the user must enable both full disk access and the Messages integration for this to happen.
The concern is not limited to Muse. A security vulnerability discovered in the ChatGPT Mac app could have allowed hackers to access sensitive data. The Muse app surpassing 5 million downloads and reaching a wide audience also shows that desktop AI agents are spreading rapidly. Because such programs can control the system and read files and messages, granting them broad permissions increases the risk. Under the new rules, users will have to provide separate confirmation when they want to give a third-party app access to a specific part of the system or the entire disk. Apple wants people to clearly understand the risks before giving consent. The company has not announced when the change will be released. Apple also emphasizes that giving such access to communication apps could affect the privacy not only of the user but also of the people they communicate with.
Full disk access means that an app can read files, emails, messages, and browser history on the computer. To function properly, backup software can use this permission to bypass most standard privacy restrictions. AI agents can also take advantage of this access to perform tasks independently and process personal data as additional information while working. The issue came to the fore after Jason Aten made an allegation about Meta-owned Muse. Aten said that although he had not given explicit permission, the app knew the contents of private conversations stored in the Messages database on his computer. Meta denied the allegation. According to the company, the user must enable both full disk access and the Messages integration for this to happen. The concern is not limited to Muse. A security vulnerability discovered in the ChatGPT Mac app could have allowed hackers to access sensitive data. The Muse app surpassing 5 million downloads and reaching a wide audience also shows that desktop AI agents are spreading rapidly. Because such programs can control the system and read files and messages, granting them broad permissions increases the risk. Under the new rules, users will have to provide separate confirmation when they want to give a third-party app access to a specific part of the system or the entire disk. Apple wants people to clearly understand the risks before giving consent. The company has not announced when the change will be released. Apple also emphasizes that giving such access to communication apps could affect the privacy not only of the user but also of the people they communicate with.