Apple Sues Jon Prosser for Leaking iOS 26 Trade Secrets

Apple has sued Jon Prosser for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act by leaking iOS 26 information on YouTube. Prosser is accused of using a former Apple employee's Development iPhone, which he obtained by breaking into it, to access confidential information and profit from it through ad revenue on his YouTube channel. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction to stop Prosser from further disclosing Apple's trade secrets.

Apple Inc. has filed a lawsuit against YouTuber Jon Prosser, accusing him of misappropriating trade secrets and violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The lawsuit stems from Prosser's leaks of iOS 26 information on his YouTube channel. According to the complaint, Prosser gained access to confidential Apple information by breaking into an Apple employee's development iPhone, which contained unreleased software features. Apple seeks damages and an injunction to prevent further disclosure of its trade secrets [1].

The lawsuit details a scheme involving Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti, who conspired to access the iPhone of Ethan Lipnik, an Apple employee. Prosser allegedly offered financial compensation to Ramacciotti in exchange for access to Lipnik's phone. Ramacciotti then accessed the iPhone and shared confidential information with Prosser, who used it to create YouTube content and generate ad revenue [2].

The case highlights Apple's ongoing efforts to protect its trade secrets and intellectual property. Apple has invested billions in research and development and employs stringent security measures to safeguard its products and features. The lawsuit against Prosser underscores the company's commitment to preserving the confidentiality of its unreleased products [3].

Apple's legal action comes amidst a broader trend of trade secret theft and intellectual property infringement in the tech industry. In a separate case, Apple faces potential restrictions on selling certain iPhone models in the U.S. due to trade secret violations by a Samsung subsidiary [4]. The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) preliminarily ruled that BOE and seven subsidiaries violated Samsung Display's trade secrets, which could lead to a ban on selling iPhones with BOE displays in the U.S.

The lawsuit against Prosser is a significant development in Apple's ongoing efforts to protect its intellectual property. The case will likely set a precedent for future legal actions against individuals or entities that engage in trade secret misappropriation. As the tech industry continues to evolve, the protection of intellectual property will remain a critical issue for companies like Apple.

References:
[1] https://www.scribd.com/document/889709146/Apple-v-Ramacciotti-and-Prosser
[2] https://bgr.com/tech/apple-could-be-banned-from-selling-some-iphones-in-the-us-over-stolen-trade-secrets/
[3] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/17/apple-sues-jon-prosser-ios-26-leaks/
[4] https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/apple-to-use-samsungs-creasefree-display-for-foldable-iphone--kuo-93CH-4136194