Apple sues YouTuber who had planted 'spy' at Apple employee's house for iOS 26 leaks: Here's what happened
TL;DR
Apple
has filed a federal lawsuit against YouTuber Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti, accusing them of orchestrating a scheme to steal iOS 26 trade secrets from a development iPhone.
The lawsuit claims Ramacciotti broke into his friend Ethan Lipnik's Apple-issued development phone while staying at his home, then showed the unreleased software to Prosser via FaceTime.
Prosser allegedly recorded the call and used the footage to create "reconstructed" renderings for his YouTube channel, generating ad revenue from Apple's confidential information.
Apple terminated Lipnik's employment for failing to secure the development device and is seeking injunctive relief and damages.
Prosser disputes Apple's version of events, claiming he was "unaware of the situation playing out" and denies plotting to access anyone's phone.
Who is Jon Prosser?
Jon Prosser is a prominent tech leaker who runs the Front Page Tech YouTube channel, known for revealing unreleased Apple products and features. He gained significant attention in early 2025 for his detailed leaks of what was then called iOS 19 (now iOS 26).
Prosser's iOS 26 leaks included:
Camera app redesign (January 2025): Prosser showed off a simplified Camera app with streamlined buttons for switching between photo and video modes. Messages app overhaul (March 2025): He revealed the Messages app with round navigation buttons at the top and rounded corners around the keyboard.
Liquid Glass
interface (April 2025): His most comprehensive leak showed the glass-like interface elements, pill-shaped tab bars, and rounder design elements that ultimately debuted in iOS 26.
While some details differed from Apple's final release, the leaks were directionally accurate and gave competitors advance knowledge of Apple's software designs.
Why Did Apple sue Jon Prosser?
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Undo
Apple's lawsuit, filed July 17, 2025, in the Northern District of California, alleges a coordinated scheme involving multiple defendants. The company's investigation began after receiving an anonymous tip on April 4, 2025, identifying Apple employee Ethan Lipnik as the potential source.
1. The alleged breach
According to Apple's complaint, Ramacciotti used location tracking to monitor when Lipnik would be away from his Santa Clara apartment, obtained his passcode, and accessed his development iPhone. The device contained unreleased iOS 19 software and "significant amounts of additional Apple trade secret information that has not yet been publicly disclosed."
2. The FaceTime recording
During the unauthorized access, Ramacciotti allegedly made a FaceTime call to Prosser, demonstrating the unreleased operating system. Prosser reportedly recorded the screen using capture tools, obtaining videos of Apple's confidential software designs and features.
3. Monetization and distribution
Apple claims Prosser shared the recordings with others and used them to create content for his YouTube channel, generating ad revenue from Apple's trade secrets. The company says at least one person recognized Lipnik's apartment in the background of Prosser's videos.
What Apple Is seeking
Apple is requesting a jury trial and seeking multiple forms of relief:
Injunctive relief to prevent further disclosure of confidential information
Punitive and compensatory damages for trade secret misappropriation
An order requiring defendants to return or destroy any confidential Apple information
Recovery of legal fees and costs
Pre- and post-judgment interest
The lawsuit includes claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing battle between tech companies protecting trade secrets and the leak culture surrounding unreleased products. Apple's aggressive legal action sends a clear message about the lengths it will go to protect confidential information.
Precedent for Tech Leaks: This lawsuit could set new standards for prosecuting tech leakers, potentially chilling the leak ecosystem that surrounds major product launches. Employee Accountability: Lipnik's termination demonstrates the career consequences for Apple employees who fail to protect development devices, even when they're not directly involved in leaks. Competitive Harm: Apple argues the leaks gave competitors advance knowledge of its software designs, potentially undermining years of secretive development work.
FAQ
Q. Did Jon Prosser actually break into the iPhone himself?
No. Apple alleges that Ramacciotti physically accessed the device, while Prosser received the information via FaceTime and recorded it for later use.
Q. What was Prosser's response to the lawsuit?
Prosser disputes Apple's claims, stating on X: "I did not 'plot' to access anyone's phone. I did not have any passwords. I was unaware of how the information was obtained. Looking forward to speaking with Apple on this."
Q. What happened to the Apple employee whose phone was accessed?
Ethan Lipnik was terminated by Apple for failing to follow company policies designed to protect development hardware and unreleased software.
Q. Is this the first time Apple has sued a leaker?
While Apple frequently pursues legal action against suppliers and manufacturers who leak information, suing individual content creators and leakers directly is less common but not unprecedented.
Q. Could there be more leaks from the same source?
Yes. Apple warns that the development iPhone contained additional unreleased features that have not yet been publicly disclosed, posing ongoing competitive risks if the defendants retained access to that information.
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