In January, renowned YouTuber Jon Prosser shared a video on his channel, Front Page Tech, claiming to offer “your very first look at iOS 19.” This operating system, which Apple later unveiled as iOS 26, sparked widespread interest in the tech community. Although Prosser stated he “could not show the real video” to protect his source, he did present a mock-up of a redesigned Camera app. This design ultimately served as a preview of Apple's ambitious “Liquid Glass” redesign, which was later showcased during the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Months after the initial leak, Apple confirmed that Prosser indeed had insider information regarding the new operating system and the Liquid Glass design. The confirmation came in the form of a lawsuit against both Prosser and another individual, Michael Ramacciotti, for allegedly leaking Apple's trade secrets, as reported by MacRumors. The frequency of Apple leaks and rumors has given rise to a dedicated media ecosystem aimed at tracking and disseminating this information, making this particular case noteworthy.
According to Apple, the leak involving the Liquid Glass redesign was significant enough to warrant legal action due to a “coordinated scheme” between Prosser and Ramacciotti. They reportedly gained unauthorized access to an Apple employee's company-owned phone, allowing them to share confidential information on YouTube for monetary gain. The full legal complaint, which MacRumors made available on Scribd, details Apple’s account of the events.
Ramacciotti was friends with an Apple employee named Ethan Lipnik, who happened to possess an iPhone running an in-development version of the next-generation iOS. Allegedly acting on Prosser’s instructions, Ramacciotti accessed Lipnik's phone while he was away and used FaceTime to share the new software design with Prosser. Apple’s legal filing describes the defendants’ actions as “brazen and egregious,” stating that they had orchestrated a plan to access confidential and trade secret information from Lipnik's Apple-owned device.
Apple's main evidence appears to stem from an audio message sent by Ramacciotti to Lipnik, which was subsequently presented to Apple. An email dated April 4 from an anonymous source also identified Lipnik as the leak's source, implicating Ramacciotti along with three other individuals whose names were redacted. The legal complaint reveals that Lipnik has since been terminated from Apple for violating company policies designed to protect confidential information, including unreleased software and features. Furthermore, the filing alleges that Lipnik failed to report “multiple prior breaches” to Apple.
In response to Apple's lawsuit, Prosser has contested the company's narrative, asserting that the timeline of events presented by Apple is inaccurate. “This is not how the situation played out on my end,” he posted on social media. “Luckily, I have receipts for that. I did not ‘plot’ to access anyone’s phone. I was unaware of how the information was obtained.” To support his claims, Prosser shared a screenshot from a messaging app, dated back to February, indicating that he received information about the Liquid Glass redesign unsolicited.
Apple's lawsuit seeks damages from both Prosser and Ramacciotti while aiming to “protect its trade secrets” and prevent them from “continuing to act unlawfully.” Despite having publicly announced both iOS 26 and the Liquid Glass design, Apple maintains that Prosser and Ramacciotti pose an “ongoing threat” due to the presence of additional confidential design elements on Lipnik’s phone that have yet to be disclosed.
This legal battle highlights the ongoing issue of leaks within the tech industry and Apple's commitment to safeguarding its intellectual property. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this case influences the broader conversation around tech leaks and corporate confidentiality.
