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Apple has filed a lawsuit in California against tech YouTuber Jon Prosser, alleging that Prosser disclosed trade secrets and violated the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The case revolves around a series of leaks related to iOS 26. The lawsuit also involves a second individual, Michael Ramacciotti, who, according to Apple, was actively involved in the data theft.
Leaks from the Apple universe are nothing new, but they rarely result in such clear legal consequences. Since the beginning of the year, videos have been circulating on Jon Prosser's YouTube channel showing unreleased iOS features—including a redesigned camera app and interface elements that later became official in the form of the so-called Liquid Glass interface. Now Apple is revealing how Prosser allegedly obtained this information—and what the company intends to achieve legally (via MacRumors).
This is how the leak around iOS 26 began
According to Apple's account, it all began with a tip the company received in April. According to this tip, Michael Ramacciotti spied on an Apple employee named Ethan Lipnik's development device while he was staying with him. Ramacciotti used location tracking to observe when Lipnik was away, obtained his passcode, and gained access to a weakly secured development iPhone. According to Apple, this device contained an early version of iOS 26 and several unreleased features. During this access, Ramacciotti had a video call with Jon Prosser. He demonstrated iOS features and showed the YouTuber the device's contents. Prosser is said to have recorded the entire process using screen recording tools and saved the recordings.
What Apple claims about the process
According to Apple, Prosser wasn't just a recipient of the information. Rather, he actively contributed to the plan and even offered to pay Ramacciotti for access. The lawsuit states that Prosser planned from the outset how he could use the content and profit from it. He did just that: Several videos on his YouTube channel are said to be directly based on material that came from the development device. The problem for Apple: The recordings showed more than just software. One person confirmed to Lipnik that they recognized his apartment in one of the saved videos. This suggests that the developer's whereabouts were also compromised.
Apple reacts – Lipnik finds out late
Apple states that Lipnik has since been fired. However, he was apparently not directly informed of the specific allegations. It was only through other people who had seen the recordings that Lipnik learned that his home was visible in Prosser's videos. Apple emphasizes how seriously it takes the issue of confidentiality. The security of development devices is a central element of its internal processes, the lawsuit states. Nevertheless, it initially remained unclear how much information was actually compromised – and whether Prosser possesses additional, previously unpublished material.
What Apple is demanding in court
In the lawsuit, Apple demands a jury trial and makes several specific demands:
- a verdict in favor of Apple on all counts
- an injunction against Prosser and Ramacciotti
- Compensation in an amount to be determined in the trial
- Punitive damages for intentional and malicious misappropriation of secrets
- the return or destruction of all sensitive data
- the obligation not to use or share Apple data without written consent
- Interest on the amount of damage at the maximum statutory rate
- Reimbursement of all legal fees and other expenses
In addition, Apple is demanding full disclosure of whether any other confidential material exists – especially since, according to Apple, the affected development device contained other undisclosed design features.
Prosser's version of the story
Jon Prosser responded to the lawsuit with his own statement. In it, he denies that the information reached him in the manner described. He has not yet provided any details, but announced that he will comment in due course. New information is expected to emerge in the coming days.
Apple draws boundaries – and very clearly
The dispute between Apple and Jon Prosser has the potential to have far-reaching consequences. For Apple, it's not just about the leaks themselves, but also about sending a clear message to anyone who might gain access to information in a similar way. At the same time, it highlights how sensitive Apple's internal development processes are – and how quickly even small security vulnerabilities can lead to major problems. (Image: Apple)
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