Jon Prosser Blames Co-Defendant in Apple Trade Secrets Case

Jon Prosser has filed his formal response to Apple’s trade secrets lawsuit, shifting blame squarely onto his co-defendant while admitting he watched iOS 26 features on a FaceTime call before they were ever announced.

Prosser, host of the YouTube channel Front Page Tech, acknowledged in court documents obtained by MacRumors that he participated in a FaceTime call with Michael Ramacciotti, during which Ramacciotti displayed features and apps running on a development iPhone. Prosser denied knowing the device belonged to former Apple software engineer Ethan Lipnik, denied that what he viewed constituted trade secrets, and denied participating in any coordinated scheme to harm Apple. His attorney’s position is direct: Ramacciotti showed Prosser the device of his own accord, making Ramacciotti “completely responsible” for any disclosure.

That framing puts the entire legal exposure on Ramacciotti. Prosser’s response states that Ramacciotti is responsible for all harm caused to Prosser as well, which sets up a potential conflict between the two co-defendants as the case moves forward.

The lawsuit itself dates back nearly a year. Apple alleged that Prosser and Ramacciotti coordinated to access Lipnik’s development iPhone and profit from its contents, with Prosser publishing leaked iOS 19 details (the update Apple later shipped as iOS 26) months before its WWDC 2025 unveiling. Apple learned of the alleged source through an anonymous email tip, investigated, fired Lipnik, and sued both men. Prosser now has the opportunity to formally contest the claims after a federal judge removed the default judgment entered against him for missing an earlier deadline.

Prosser also denied holding any further confidential Apple information beyond what has already been disclosed to the company. He has requested a jury trial where applicable, and the case remains before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.