![\"\"](\"https:\/\/macworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/what-are-all-these-new-privacy-request-dialogs-in-mojave.png\")
<\/p>\nWith macOS 10.14 Mojave, Apple has beefed up the Mac\u2019s privacy so it more closely resembles privacy in iOS. You\u2019ve noticed that when you launch a new app on your iPhone or iPad, it often prompts for access to your photos or contacts, the camera or microphone, and more. The idea behind these Privacy Requests is that you should always be aware of how a particular app can access your personal data or features of your device. You might not want to let some new game thumb through your photos or record your voice.<\/p>\n
macOS has been heading in this direction, but Mojave makes apps play this \u201cMother, May I?\u201d game in more ways. As a result, particularly after you first upgrade, you may be bombarded with dialogs asking for various permissions. For instance, when you first make a video call with Skype, it\u2019s going to ask for access to the camera and the microphone. Grant permission and Skype won\u2019t have to ask again.<\/p>\n
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Skype\u2019s requests are entirely reasonable\u2014it wouldn\u2019t be able to do its job without such access. That applies more generally, too. In most cases, apps will ask for access for a good reason, and if you want the app to function properly, you should give it access.<\/p>\n
However, be wary if a permission dialog appears when:<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no harm in denying access; the worst that can happen is that the app won\u2019t work. (And if it\u2019s malicious, you don\u2019t want it to work!) You can always grant permission later.<\/p>\n
To see which permissions you\u2019ve granted or denied, open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy. A list of categories appears on the left; click one to see which apps have requested access. If you\u2019ve granted access, the checkbox next to the app will be selected; otherwise it will be empty.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/macworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/what-are-all-these-new-privacy-request-dialogs-in-mojave-1.png\")
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You\u2019ll notice that the lock in the lower-left corner is closed. To make changes, click it and sign in as an administrator when prompted.<\/p>\n
Most of these categories are self-explanatory, but it might not always be obvious why an app wants permission. In the screenshot above, for instance, Google Chrome has been granted access to the Mac\u2019s camera. Why? So Google Hangouts and other Web-based video-conferencing services can work.<\/p>\n
There are five categories (including three not showing above) that could use additional explanation:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/macworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/what-are-all-these-new-privacy-request-dialogs-in-mojave-2.png\")
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<\/li>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/macworks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/what-are-all-these-new-privacy-request-dialogs-in-mojave-4.png\")
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nSo if you\u2019ve been seeing repeated requests for permission after you upgraded to Mojave, now you know why these dialogs keep popping up. They\u2019re a bit annoying at first, but the added privacy is worthwhile, and once you\u2019ve granted permission to an app, you shouldn\u2019t hear from it again.<\/p>\n