Apple has initiated legal proceedings against Jon Prosser, a well-known YouTuber and leaker, alleging that he illegally obtained and disseminated confidential information about the yet-to-be-released iOS 26. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, accuses Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti of misappropriating trade secrets and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
According to Apple's complaint, Prosser and Ramacciotti engaged in a "coordinated scheme" to access an Apple development iPhone, steal trade secrets, and profit from the theft. The suit claims that Ramacciotti, who was in need of money, was offered compensation by Prosser in exchange for providing access to confidential Apple information. Ramacciotti then allegedly used his friendship with Ethan Lipnik, an Apple software engineer, to gain access to a development iPhone.
The lawsuit details how Ramacciotti allegedly broke into Lipnik's development iPhone while staying at his apartment, after determining Lipnik's whereabouts using location-tracking software. Ramacciotti then allegedly made a FaceTime call to Prosser, showing him the unreleased iOS 26 operating system and its features. Apple claims that Prosser recorded this video call and used the information to create videos for his YouTube channel, Front Page Tech, revealing details about the upcoming software. These videos included reconstructed glimpses of the "Liquid Glass" redesign and an updated Camera app layout.
Apple argues that Prosser's actions have caused significant damage to the company, as the leaks compromise the secrecy and confidentiality that are crucial to its product development process. The company claims it is unsure of the full extent of the information Prosser and Ramacciotti accessed or retained, and fears that additional trade secrets may be published. Apple is seeking damages, an injunction to prevent further leaks, and a jury trial. They are also seeking to force Prosser and Ramacciotti to destroy any confidential Apple information still in their possession.
Ethan Lipnik, the Apple employee whose phone was compromised, has reportedly been fired for failing to secure the development device as required by company policy. Apple was alerted to the scheme through an anonymous email on April 4, and Lipnik later provided Apple with an audio message from Ramacciotti detailing the scheme.
Prosser has publicly denied Apple's allegations, stating that the situation did not unfold as Apple claims. He maintains that he did not plot to access anyone's phone, did not have any passwords, and was unaware of how the information was obtained.
This legal battle highlights the ongoing struggle between tech companies and leakers who seek to uncover and share information about upcoming products. Apple has a long history of fiercely protecting its trade secrets, and this lawsuit demonstrates the company's willingness to take aggressive action against those who allegedly steal and disseminate confidential information. The case raises questions about the ethics of leaking, the extent to which companies can protect their secrets, and the balance between freedom of information and the need to safeguard intellectual property.
