WEB DESK: Apple is going after YouTuber Jon Prosser and his associate Michael Ramacciotti in court, accusing the two of leaking major features of iOS 26 months before its official reveal at WWDC. The lawsuit, filed this week, claims the pair accessed a development iPhone and used it to gather confidential details about the upcoming software.
If you were following Prosser’s videos earlier this year, the leaks probably felt pretty accurate. Back in January, he posted renders of what was then rumoured to be called iOS 19. He showed off a redesigned Camera app with simplified controls. In March, he shared another look—this time of the Messages app with a cleaner interface and rounded design. Then, in April, he gave a broader preview of what he called the “Liquid Glass” UI, featuring pill-shaped tabs and translucent elements. It all looked like guesswork with insider polish. Turns out, Apple believes it was more than that.
According to the company, the source of the leak was a prototype iPhone held by an Apple employee named Ethan Lipnik. Apple claims Ramacciotti, a friend of Lipnik, managed to get access to the device. He allegedly got Lipnik’s passcode, tracked his location to know when he was away, and then used that window to dig through the phone. From there, Apple says, Ramacciotti FaceTimed Prosser and gave him a live look at the unreleased iOS version. Prosser is accused of recording call and using the footage to produce the renders that appeared on his channel.
The lawsuit states that Lipnik’s device contained a lot more than what was made public. Apple still doesn’t know exactly how much confidential data Prosser and Ramacciotti might have seen or saved. As a result, the company is asking for an injunction to prevent further disclosures and is seeking damages over the alleged misuse of trade secrets.
Lipnik has already been fired for violating Apple’s internal security rules. He also failed to report the incident after people online recognised his apartment in one of the leaked videos. Apple reportedly only found out after receiving an anonymous tip.
As the legal process gets underway, Prosser has responded to the claims on social media, saying he was unaware of the situation as Apple describes it and is “looking forward to being able to speak to Apple about it.”
Whether this turns into a full-blown legal battle or settles quietly, the case offers a rare look at how tightly Apple guards its secrets—and what happens when someone gets too close.
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