Apple has launched a shocking lawsuit accusing YouTuber Jon Prosser and his associate Michael Ramacciotti of conspiring to steal trade secrets related to the highly anticipated iOS 26. The suit claims they broke into a development iPhone belonging to an Apple employee.
According to the complaint filed in California, the alleged scheme involved accessing an Apple engineer’s locked device to leak unreleased iOS 26 features, which Prosser later showcased in videos before the official Apple announcement.
What exactly did Apple accuse Jon Prosser of?
Apple alleges that Ramacciotti, a friend of former Apple engineer Ethan Lipnik, used Lipnik’s iPhone passcode and location data to take advantage of times when Lipnik was away from his device. Ramacciotti then invited Prosser to a FaceTime call to reveal the unreleased iOS 26 features.
Prosser reportedly recorded this call and produced detailed videos with mockups featuring the new "Liquid Glass" design. Apple claims this violated trade secret protections under federal law.
Did you know?
Trade secret laws like the Defend Trade Secrets Act protect corporate innovations by penalizing unauthorized acquisition and use of confidential information.
How did Apple discover the alleged scheme?
An anonymous email alerted the tech giant to the plot on April 4, 2025. They also obtained a voice recording in which Ramacciotti purportedly expressed regret and attributed the plot's inception to Prosser.
Following the investigation, Apple terminated Lipnik’s employment, citing failure to secure his device properly according to company rules, amid concerns about how many more secrets were compromised.
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The details of Apple's trade secret theft claims
Apple's lawsuit specifically references violations of the Defend Trade Secrets Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The company is seeking to stop any further disclosure through an injunction, monetary damages, and a jury trial.
The stolen information includes not only the new interface designs but likely other yet unknown confidential data related to the upcoming OS.
Prosser’s response to Apple’s allegations
Jon Prosser has publicly denied involvement in any conspiracy to access an employee’s device. He stated that the allegations do not reflect his version of events and claimed ignorance of the break-in.
Despite his defense, this lawsuit highlights the increasing tension between tech companies and content creators who leak high-value information for wider visibility.
Apple’s aggressive legal action signals it will rigorously protect its innovations, sending a strong message to leakers and insiders alike in the tech world.
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