Apple Sues YouTuber Jon Prosser Over iOS 26 Leaks: Everything You Need to Know

Apple has filed a lawsuit against prominent YouTuber Jon Prosser and his associate, Michael Ramacciotti, accusing both individuals of misappropriating trade secrets and posting a series of high-profile leaks related to iOS 26 before the operating system was even unveiled at WWDC 2025.

Timeline of the Leaks

Earlier this year, Jon Prosser posted multiple videos on his YouTube channel that showcased “re-created renderings” of what was initially believed to be iOS 19. However, Apple later introduced iOS 19 as iOS 26 at WWDC 2025. The key highlights of the videos posted by Jon Prosser were:

• The videos showcased an overhauled Camera app with simplified photo and video switching.
• Updates to the Messages app featuring round navigation buttons and a keyboard with rounded corners.
• A new “Liquid Glass” design language, showcased in April, that previewed glass-like interface elements and pill-shaped tab bars—details that were mostly identical to Apple’s actual iOS 26 update.

While not all the renders showcased by Prosser precisely matched the released software, many of the concepts and visual cues were notably similar to those revealed at WWDC.

Inside Apple’s Legal Complaint

According to the official complaint (Scribd link), the source of the leak was a development iPhone in the possession of Ethan Lipnik. Lipnik is an Apple engineer and a friend of Michael Ramacciotti. Here’s how Apple described the sequence of events:

• Ramacciotti gained access to Lipnik’s device after acquiring his passcode and identifying periods when the phone was unattended using location tracking.
• Ramacciotti then initiated a FaceTime call with Prosser to demonstrate iOS 26 running directly on the development device.
• Prosser recorded the call and subsequently produced detailed video renderings based on what he saw.

The Cupertino tech giant claims that, in addition to running on iOS 26, the development device contained additional confidential information beyond what was publicly disclosed, and it fears that a significant amount of that information is still in the possession of Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti.

Repercussions and Company Response

• Termination: Apple fired Ethan Lipnik for failing to protect development devices and for violating company policies.
• Litigation: Apple is seeking an injunction to prevent any further disclosure of its trade secrets and is pursuing damages for their misappropriation.
• Discovery: According to Apple, the company was not immediately made aware of the breach; it learned of the incident via an anonymous email after other individuals identified Lipnik’s apartment in the leaked FaceTime call.

Jon Prosser’s tweet response

Prosser has publicly disputed Apple’s claims, stating that he is unaware of the alleged scheme and is ready to address the matter directly with Apple.

Apple Leak Lawsuit Could Set New Precedent

While Apple has every right to pursue legal action against Prosser to safeguard its intellectual property, the lawsuit may set a precedent for how internal tech leaks are handled in the future.

Should tech leaks be treated as investigative reporting, or are they a violation of trust? Share your thoughts in the comments below.