Apple Sues YouTuber Jon Prosser Over iOS 26 Leak

Apple has taken legal action against popular YouTuber Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti, alleging that the pair stole and leaked confidential information about the company’s upcoming iPhone software update, iOS 26. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Ramacciotti of using unauthorized access to an Apple employee’s phone to obtain sensitive details of iOS 26, which he then sent to Prosser. Prosser subsequently shared this information on his YouTube channel, Front Page Tech.

The leaked information included details on unreleased features and designs for iOS 26, which Apple plans to release publicly in the fall of 2025. Apple claims that the leak caused “irreparable harm” by disclosing unfinished and secret product plans before they were ready. The company is seeking damages, although the specific amount has not been disclosed. Apple has emphasized its commitment to confidentiality and protecting its trade secrets, typically not commenting publicly beyond its official legal filings.

Jon Prosser has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he did not plot to steal information and was unaware of how it was obtained. He believes the information he received was accurate and that publishing it fell within the legal boundaries of journalism. Prosser expressed his eagerness to present his side of the case in court. Neither Ramacciotti nor a representative from Front Page Tech has commented on the matter.

The video detailing iOS 26 features was uploaded to Prosser’s channel in January 2025 and sparked significant discussion in the tech community. Apple became aware of the leak in April 2025 after being alerted by an anonymous whistleblower. According to court documents, the whistleblower informed Apple that Ramacciotti had accessed the data by using a close friend’s work phone, who was an Apple employee at the time.

Apple alleges that Prosser drove Ramacciotti to secure and relay the information, with Ramacciotti accused of numerous crimes and breaking company regulations. The company claims that protecting its intellectual property is essential to its innovation and market position. Both defendants are accused of acting “maliciously and unlawfully,” with Apple arguing that revealing its trade secrets would harm its competitiveness and erode confidence between employees and business partners.

In a similar incident in 2021, Apple accused a former employee, Simon Lancaster, of leaking confidential company information to a reporter. The company stated that Lancaster had abused his position and the trust placed in him to share sensitive trade secrets for personal gain. This latest lawsuit underscores Apple's stringent measures to protect its trade secrets and the lengths to which the company is willing to go to safeguard its proprietary information.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of securing development devices and the potential consequences of mishandling confidential information. As the legal battle unfolds, both parties are expected to present their evidence and arguments in court, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for future cases involving trade secret theft and unauthorized access to proprietary information.