Nearly a year ago, Apple initiated legal action against YouTuber Jon Prosser and Michael Ramacciotti, accusing them of stealing trade secrets related to the company’s software. Apple claimed the pair collaborated to access former Apple software engineer Ethan Lipnik’s development iPhone, aiming to exploit information about “iOS 19,” later known as iOS 26.
Prosser, known for his YouTube channel Front Page Tech, had released videos revealing details of “iOS 19” months before Apple’s official announcement. An anonymous tip led Apple to discover the source of the leaks was Lipnik’s iPhone, resulting in Lipnik’s dismissal and the subsequent lawsuit against Prosser and Ramacciotti.
In his formal response to the lawsuit, Prosser acknowledged participating in a FaceTime call with Ramacciotti, during which he was shown features and applications from the development iPhone. However, he denied the information contained trade secrets and claimed ignorance of the iPhone’s ownership by Lipnik.
Prosser refuted any involvement in a conspiracy or scheme against Apple. His attorney asserted that Ramacciotti’s actions during the call were independent, placing full responsibility for any disclosure of trade secrets on Ramacciotti.
Prosser maintained that he holds no additional confidential Apple information beyond what has been disclosed. The case is being heard by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, with Prosser requesting a jury trial where applicable.
