Tech giant Apple has filed a lawsuit in a California federal court against popular YouTuber Jon Prosser and his associate Michael Ramacciotti, accusing them of leaking confidential details about the upcoming iPhone software update, iOS 26. According to Reuters, the company claims that sensitive internal information was shared publicly before it was meant to be released.
How It All Reportedly Happened
In the legal filing, Apple alleges that Michael Ramacciotti got hold of a development phone that was given to an Apple employee. He’s accused of using that device to access early builds of iOS 26 and then sharing those details with Jon Prosser. The leaked information later appeared in a video on Prosser’s YouTube channel, Front Page Tech.
When asked by Reuters, Prosser denied doing anything wrong intentionally. He stated, “I certainly did not ‘plot’ to steal information nor did I know how it was obtained originally,” and said he looks forward to explaining his side in court.
Who Is Jon Prosser?
If you’re into tech leaks, you’ve probably heard of Jon Prosser. He’s the face behind the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, known for regularly revealing details about unreleased Apple products. Back in January, he was among the first to report on features expected in iOS 26.
What Apple Claims
According to Apple, Prosser encouraged Ramacciotti, a product analyst and editor, to take a look at the unreleased software. The company alleges that Ramacciotti, who was reportedly in financial need, accessed the development phone while staying at a friend’s house — that friend being an Apple employee.
During a FaceTime call, Ramacciotti is said to have shown the new iOS 26 features to Prosser, who then recorded the call and used it to create mock-up visuals for a YouTube video. That video, based on what Apple calls “reconstructed” images, was monetized and reportedly earned Prosser ad revenue.
As a result of this incident, Apple fired the employee involved — identified as Ethan Lipnik — for not securing the test device properly. Now, Apple is asking the court for damages and an order to stop any further sharing of this leaked content.
What Was in the iOS 26 Leak?
The leaked video gave viewers an early glimpse at some potential design changes in iOS 26. These included:
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A cleaner, simplified Camera app interface with easy toggles for switching between photo and video.
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A redesigned Messages app, featuring rounded navigation buttons and a smoother keyboard layout with soft edges.
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A fresh new look called Liquid Glass, which introduced sleek, glass-like visuals, pill-shaped tabs, and an overall softer UI design.
What’s Next?
This lawsuit shows how serious Apple is about protecting its trade secrets. The company is not just going after those who leak its products, but also anyone who might benefit from that leaked information. The case will now play out in court, where both sides will get the chance to explain what really happened.
