Jon Prosser is a pretty well-known name in the tech industry. We have covered numerous leaks from the individual in the past five years or so, including iPhone 9 launch dates, Apple Watch features, and a MacBook Air redesign in 2022. Most recently, we covered Prosser"s leaks about the Liquid Glass redesign for iOS 26, along with mockups of the operating system. Now, Apple has sued the serial leaker, claiming that he played dirty while trying to obtain the company"s trade secrets.
As reported by The Verge, Apple"s lawsuit alleges that Prosser worked with a man called Michael Ramacciotti, who was a friend of an Apple software engineer, Ethan Lipnik, to gain access to their iPhone containing development builds of iOS 26 using criminal methods. Apparently, Prosser offered Ramacciotti financial benefits and future job opportunities if he could get access to the said iPhone.
Ramacciotti proceeded to learn the passcode for Lipnik"s device and then accessed it when his friend had left the phone unattended for an extended period of time. After gaining access to the phone, Ramacciotti had a video call with Prosser in which he showed off the pre-release software to the leaker.
Apple found out about this lapse in cybersecurity in April through an anonymous tip, after which the company fired Lipnik for failing to follow proper protocol in securing unreleased software. By that time, Prosser had already uploaded lots of videos on his YouTube channel talking about iOS 26, which at that time, was expected to be called iOS 19.
The Cupertino firm also claims to have other concrete pieces of evidence that incriminate Prosser. For his part, the serial leaker denied allegations of plotting to steal Apple"s trade secrets, saying that he is eager to talk to the company and hash things out:
For the record: This is not how the situation played out on my end. Luckily have receipts for that.
— jon prosser (@jon_prosser) July 18, 2025
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. https://t.co/NSUlJPMbld
It"s unclear if Apple is interested in talking to Prosser, especially since it seems like the company has him dead to rights. For now, the lawsuit has demanded damages and a court order that restricts Prosser from ever leaking Apple"s trade secrets again.