Apple sues noted leaker for allegedly compromising iOS secrets

Apple leaks are generally considered a standard feature of the tech news space, but apparently one leaker may have gone too far for Apple's liking.

The company is suing prolific leaker Jon Prosser for his alleged role in securing non-public information about iOS 26, per The Verge. The new mobile OS, which was popularly referred to as iOS 19 prior to its official unveiling at WWDC earlier this year, was the subject of several reports on Prosser's YouTube channels, which turned out to accurately predict redesigns of major iPhone apps prior to the official announcement.

In the suit, Apple alleges that "The Defendants here conspired to break into an Apple employee’s development iPhone to take Apple’s trade secrets."

Apple's specific accusation is that Prosser worked through another man named Michael Ramacciotti. Per the lawsuit, Prosser allegedly "promised to 'find out a way for [Mr. Ramacciotti] to get payment' if Mr. Ramacciotti would provide access" to a company phone that belonged to an Apple employee named Ethan Lipnik. Ramacciotti allegedly had a friendly relationship with Lipnik, who lost his job at Apple as a result of the incident.

Apple claims that Ramacciotti allegedly infiltrated the company phone (which was running a development version of the new iOS) and showed off new features to Prosser over a video call, the contents of which were reportedly used to come up with renders for Prosser's reports.

It should be noted that Prosser denied these accusations on X.

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Prosser wrote, "For the record: This is not how the situation played out on my end. Luckily have receipts for that. 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."

Apple wants both damages and a court order preventing Prosser from reporting on Apple secrets again. We will see if Apple gets what it wants.