Apple tightens Full Disk Access on iOS and macOS after Meta AI read private DMs

Apple is tightening Full Disk Access permissions on iOS and macOS to address privacy concerns. This change matters because it limits how deeply applications can scan your files. Users relying on AI features should expect stricter boundaries on data access.

Apple restricts deep file scanning on iPhone and Mac to protect user privacy

The update targets both iPhone and Mac platforms directly. Apple is implementing these restrictions to prevent unauthorized deep system scanning. The move affects software that previously relied on broad disk access.

The core technical change involves stricter controls on Full Disk Access permissions. This limits the scope of files applications can read without explicit user consent. The adjustment applies to the underlying operating system architecture on both devices.

This policy shift follows revelations that Meta's Muse AI model accessed private direct messages. The incident highlighted risks associated with AI models reading private user data. Apple's response aims to close this specific privacy gap in its ecosystem.