Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.

YouTuber Jon Prosser has submitted an official reply to the lawsuit Apple brought against him and a second defendant for allegedly taking iOS secrets. In the reply Prosser rejected any claim that he planned or took part in a conspiracy or coordinated effort meant to harm Apple. At the same time he confirmed he recorded a FaceTime session that revealed unreleased iOS software and later shared ad revenue from his related videos with the person who provided the material. Prosser further contended that the other defendant bears full responsibility for any trade-secret disclosure.

Apple filed the suit last July and accused Prosser together with Michael Ramacciotti of working together to unlock a development iPhone, obtain Apple trade secrets, and earn money from the material. According to the complaint Ramacciotti displayed iOS details from an Apple employee device belonging to Ethan Lipnik during a FaceTime call. Over several months in 2025 Prosser posted three videos on his Front Page Tech channel that described an unreleased version of iOS 19 featuring interface elements similar to the Liquid Glass design Apple later showed at WWDC as part of the renamed iOS 26.

Selected excerpts from Prosser response appear below.

Apple stated that once Prosser heard Ramacciotti needed money and that Lipnik worked at the company the two men together arranged to obtain the data. Prosser denied any joint planning or knowledge of Ramacciotti financial circumstances. The filing added that Prosser did not know who Ethan Lipnik was and had no information about how or when Ramacciotti collected the material.
Prosser confirmed he joined a FaceTime session in which Ramacciotti displayed certain iOS features on the development device. He also confirmed that Ramacciotti demonstrated several functions and apps that revealed details of the unreleased iOS 19 system yet stated he lacked knowledge whether the software was in fact unreleased.
Apple cited a voice message in which Ramacciotti said he used location tracking to determine when Lipnik would be absent, obtained the passcode, and accessed the phone. Prosser denied any awareness of location tracking, that the device belonged to Lipnik, or how Ramacciotti gained entry.
Prosser confirmed he recorded the FaceTime session, captured screenshots, and later shared the recordings and images.
Prosser denied recruiting or paying Ramacciotti before the call. He did admit sharing part of the YouTube ad revenue with Ramacciotti after the videos appeared in order to keep exclusive contact. Prosser also said he ended communication once he learned how the information had been obtained.
Prosser confirmed the material was unreleased software and that he reported on the details supplied to him in the manner any news outlet would handle an exclusive.
Prosser confirmed he showed at least part of the recording to others yet denied holding any additional confidential information beyond what has already been provided to Apple.
Among affirmative defenses the filing asserts that Ramacciotti decision to display the features was not prompted by Prosser and that Ramacciotti alone is responsible for any disclosure of Apple trade secrets.
The filing further states that Ramacciotti must answer for all harm suffered by Prosser and must compensate him accordingly.
Prosser has requested a jury trial on every issue that permits one.

Apple did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Earlier this year an Apple spokesperson told The Verge the company does not comment on ongoing litigation.

After Apple filed suit a court clerk entered a default against Prosser because he had not filed a formal answer. Prosser later indicated in an April filing that he would obtain counsel. In June he agreed to a deposition. Shortly afterward Prosser and Apple asked the judge to lift the default. The request was granted and Prosser received ten days to answer the complaint.

Prosser complete response is available below for readers who wish to examine it directly.