In a dramatic escalation of its efforts to protect proprietary information, Apple has filed a lawsuit against prominent YouTuber Jon Prosser and an accomplice, Sam Ramacciotti, accusing them of illegally accessing and leaking details about the unreleased iOS 26 operating system. The lawsuit, filed after an internal investigation, alleges that Prosser orchestrated a scheme to exploit a development iPhone belonging to former Apple employee Ethan Lipnik, accessing sensitive trade secrets and sharing them publicly for personal gain.
According to court documents, the plot centered on Lipnik’s Apple-issued development iPhone, which contained confidential information about iOS 26 and other unreleased projects. Apple claims that Prosser, aware of Ramacciotti’s financial difficulties, offered him payment to gain access to Lipnik’s device. Using location-tracking tools, Ramacciotti allegedly monitored Lipnik’s movements to determine when he would be away from his apartment for an extended period. Armed with Lipnik’s passcode, Ramacciotti accessed the development iPhone and initiated a FaceTime call with Prosser, showcasing iOS 26’s features. Prosser reportedly recorded the call using screen capture tools and later used the footage to create renders of iOS 26 for his YouTube channel, where he shared the leaks with his audience.
Apple’s complaint reveals that the development iPhone contained “a significant amount of additional Apple trade secret information” that remains undisclosed to the public. The company expresses concern that Prosser and Ramacciotti may still possess this sensitive data, prompting Apple to seek an injunction to prevent further leaks and damages for the misappropriation of its trade secrets.
The breach came to light through an anonymous email sent to Apple, which detailed the scheme. Further evidence emerged from an audio message Ramacciotti sent to Lipnik, in which he outlined the plan. Lipnik, who failed to secure his device according to Apple’s policies and did not report the breach after learning of it, has since been terminated from his position at the company. The lawsuit notes that a third party recognized Lipnik’s apartment in the leaked FaceTime recording, alerting him to the breach.
Apple’s legal action underscores its aggressive stance on protecting intellectual property, particularly as competition in the tech industry intensifies. The company has a history of cracking down on leaks, which can undermine its tightly controlled product unveilings and give competitors an edge. The lawsuit against Prosser, a well-known figure in the tech community for his Apple-related leaks, sends a clear message to leakers and insiders about the consequences of violating Apple’s confidentiality protocols.
In addition to the injunction, Apple is seeking unspecified damages to address the harm caused by the alleged theft of its trade secrets. The case also highlights the challenges companies face in securing development devices, especially when employees fail to adhere to strict security guidelines.
As the lawsuit progresses, the tech world will be watching closely to see how it impacts Prosser’s career and the broader culture of leaks in the industry. For now, Apple remains focused on safeguarding its innovations, signaling that it will not hesitate to pursue legal action against those who threaten its proprietary information.
