Famous leaker Jon Prosser shared an replace with The Verge on October 21 concerning the present standing of his ongoing authorized battle with Apple. Prosser, when you recall, was sued by Apple this previous July for leaking confidential details about upcoming iOS 26 options. Properly earlier than Apple unveiled iOS 26 at WWDC in June, Prosser on his YouTube channel revealed iOS 26’s Liquid Glass redesign, together with new system icons and up to date UI controls.
Earlier this month, Apple filed a movement looking for a default judgment in opposition to Prosser. Apple’s movement claims that Prosser, regardless of being served this previous summer time, didn’t reply to its criticism by the legally required date. Apple additional stated that it made a number of efforts to ask Prosser if he was planning on responding to the criticism. The movement provides that Prosser failed to answer any of Apple’s inquiries. Considerably bizarrely, Prosser claims that he has been involved with Apple.
“All I can inform you is that regardless of what’s being reported, and no matter what the court docket paperwork say — I’ve, the truth is, been in lively communications with Apple for the reason that starting phases of this case,” Prosser stated in a press release. “The notion that I am ignoring the case is inaccurate. That is all I’m able to say.”
It’s kind of unclear what is going on on right here. Does Prosser assume his communications with Apple make responding to the corporate’s criticism pointless? Is Prosser maybe speaking with people at Apple with out Apple’s authorized workforce being made conscious of it? As of now, there are extra questions than solutions.
Why is Apple going after Prosser so aggressively?
You may be questioning: why is Apple going after Prosser so aggressively? It is a honest query, as a result of leaks about upcoming Apple {hardware} and software program aren’t something new. Certainly, the deluge of rumors about forthcoming Apple merchandise is unending within the weeks and months forward of a brand new product launch. Lately, it’s normal to know the precise dimensions and specs of latest iPhone fashions far prematurely of their official unveiling. What makes the Prosser case distinctive, nevertheless, is how the data was obtained.
Murky sources who leak product particulars gleaned from Apple’s huge provide chain shouldn’t be a singular phenomenon. However Prosser, Apple’s criticism alleges, engaged in a “coordinated scheme to interrupt into an Apple improvement iPhone.” Apple particularly particulars that Prosser and a co-defendant named Michael Ramacciotti made an effort to entry an iPhone 17 prototype belonging to an Apple worker named Ethan Lipnik.
Apple’s criticism reads partially: “…Whereas staying at Mr. Lipnik’s residence, Mr Ramacciotti used location monitoring to find out when Mr. Lipnik could be gone for an prolonged interval, acquired his passcode, and broke into his Improvement iPhone, which Mr. Lipnik had did not correctly safe in response to Apple’s insurance policies. As he detailed within the audio message, Mr. Ramacciotti made a video name to Mr. Prosser and “confirmed iOS” on the Improvement iPhone.”
From there, Prosser was capable of discern new options and UI components that had been a part of the iOS 26 replace. Apple additionally alleges that Prosser took screenshots and video of the unreleased working system in motion.
Apple claims Prosser was the mastermind
Apple claims that Prosser spearheaded the complete operation. This, coupled with the truth that the leak concerned an precise Apple engineer, is why Apple opted to take this occasion of a product leak extremely significantly. As to Prosser being the mastermind behind the iOS 26 leaks, Apple’s criticism notes that Prosser “promised Mr. Ramacciotti compensation” for his assist in accessing and copying proprietary details about iOS 26.
Moreover, Prosser allegedly instructed Ramacciotti to acquire the passcode to Lipnik’s unreleased iPhone for the only function of acquiring confidential data which might then be a part of a YouTube video whereupon Prosser would benefit from the accompanying advert income. In different phrases, Prosser’s iOS leaks had been something however typical. Quite the opposite, they concerned an intricate scheme with a promise of financial reward to improperly entry confidential data on an iPhone prototype, Apple alleges.
Versus being a middle-man merely relaying details about upcoming software program, Apple’s place is that Prosser proactively launched into a mission to acquire commerce secrets and techniques via extra sinister means. In flip, Apple is suing Prosser for misappropriation of commerce secrets and techniques beneath the Defend Commerce Secrets and techniques Act (DTSA). Apple additionally relayed its intention to hunt punitive damages at trial, labeling Prosser’s actions “willful and malicious.”
What’s Jon Prosser’s protection?
Seeing as how Prosser hasn’t formally responded to Apple’s criticism, it isn’t solely clear what his authorized protection will probably be. Thus far, the one remark Prosser made within the aftermath of Apple’s lawsuit was to disclaim the allegations. In a social media publish from July, Prosser stated that Apple’s telling of the story is incomplete. “This isn’t how the state of affairs performed out on my finish,” Prosser stated. “Fortunately have receipts for that.”
Prosser additionally stated that there was no “plot” to entry anyone’s telephone, and that he is utterly unaware of how entry to the Apple worker’s telephone was obtained. Prosser concluded his publish by saying that he is wanting ahead to talking with Apple concerning the problem, which is considerably ironic given that he’s now being accused of failing to answer Apple’s criticism.
Time will inform how this performs out, but it surely’s solely believable that the case will settle and that Prosser, as a part of a negotiated settlement, will comply with cease posting about any Apple rumors. Recall that that is how Apple’s lawsuit with the now-defunct ThinkSecret.com web site ended again in 2007.
