Macworld’s greatest story final week was a blockbuster unique, damaged by Filipe Esposito, which leaked the total vary of iPhone 17 colours based mostly on an inner doc and the testimony of impartial sources. This was a correct scoop, and moderately thrilling… after which later within the week, information broke that Apple had determined to sue the YouTube character Jon Prosser after he leaked secrets and techniques about iOS 26.
The timing was mildly alarming, however we had no trigger for critical fear. Apple’s lawsuit considerations not a lot the truth that Prosser leaked details about iOS 26, however moderately how he obtained that data: allegedly by paying an confederate to steal and unlock an Apple worker’s “growth iPhone” operating the pre-release software program. In contrast, and evidently, Filipe’s strategies are wholly and scrupulously above board. Macworld would by no means publish something that doesn’t meet our authorized and moral requirements.
The lawsuit was one more reminder, if one had been wanted, that Apple hates to see its secrets and techniques broadcast the world over’s tech web sites. Just a few years again Tim Prepare dinner despatched out an inner memo complaining in regards to the variety of inner memos that had been being leaked and clearly articulating his views on the topic. (The universe having a superb humorousness, that memo was itself leaked.) “Individuals who leak confidential data don’t belong right here,” he stated.
However, it’s uncommon for Apple to unleash its full power on a leaker because it has completed with Prosser. The final time I can consider was the Gizmodo affair of 2010, when an Apple engineer left a prototype iPhone 4 in a bar, somebody discovered it, and the weblog bought it for $5,000. Gizmodo supplied to return the gadget, however not earlier than writing extensively about it, doing a teardown, and even, allegedly, making an attempt to extort favors and preferential remedy in return. The draconian upshot was that certainly one of Gizmodo’s editors ended up having his dwelling raided and his computer systems confiscated.
Earlier than that, there was Suppose Secret, a Mac rumors web site that displeased Apple by writing often-accurate articles about unreleased merchandise. This web site, too, was sued, as soon as once more over commerce secrets and techniques, reached a settlement, and a short time later shut down. Not an auspicious parallel for Prosser’s Entrance Web page Tech.
The hyperlink between these circumstances of public, no-holds-barred enforcement is that the leaker crossed a line indirectly; they went, within the view of Apple or its legal professionals, too far. As much as that line Apple applies extra delicate technique of persuasion. It hints, and cajoles; it sends disappointed-sounding emails, and threatening letters with the names of prestigious regulation corporations on the high. It extends and withdraws favor. The corporate has a number of delicate energy. A lot, certainly, that you simply nearly neglect how a lot exhausting energy it has till somebody goes too far.
The odd factor is that leaks have all the time been part of the Apple story. Gizmodo, Suppose Secret, Spymac, Loopy Apple Rumors Web site… the rumormongers, whether or not critical or satirical, come and go; typically they fly too near the solar, typically they shut for different causes, however they’ve all the time been there in some kind or one other. And they’re nonetheless there now, because the extra resilient websites persist and others take the place of the fallen: MacRumors, 9to5Mac, AppleInsider, Macworld… even bigger publications resembling Bloomberg.
Whether or not it tries delicate secrecy or heavy-handed authorized means, Apple has confirmed fully incapable of stopping the leaks. If something, they’re worse than ever, with Mark Gurman and others leaking every thing about no matter’s coming subsequent. Partly it’s because an organization of that dimension, a provide chain of that complexity, can’t ever be fully insulated. And partly it’s just because the urge for food is there, and somebody will all the time discover a manner.
The urge for food is there as a result of Apple merchandise are thrilling, and other people wish to examine them even months and years earlier than they arrive. Which is an effective factor, one would have thought. Do leaks happen due to the urge for food, or is that urge for food the results of leaks? I believe the latter is at the least partly true. The ecosystem of hype and hypothesis surrounding each Apple launch inevitably generates extra buzz and extra curiosity. It feeds on itself. And whereas the corporate understandably doesn’t need the iPhone 17 to be fully revealed earlier than launch day, it could, I believe, be sorry to lose the worldwide curiosity that begins to construct lengthy upfront.
None of which is to say that Apple is incorrect to sue Jon Prosser, or to guard its commerce secrets and techniques. I simply assume that Apple must be cautious it doesn’t crack down too exhausting on the leakers. As a result of if it someway discovered a solution to do away with them, it’d discover that it misses them.
Foundry
Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which incorporates all of the Apple information you missed final week in a helpful bite-sized roundup. We name it Apple Breakfast as a result of we expect it goes nice with a Monday morning cup of espresso or tea, however it’s cool if you wish to give it a learn throughout lunch or dinner hours too.
Trending: Prime tales
25 years later, Apple’s most notorious Mac can train some invaluable classes.
Tim Prepare dinner is the greatest sort of CEO, says the Macalope. Boring.
Apple sues high-profile leaker over ‘coordinated scheme’ to steal iOS secrets and techniques.
Mahmoud Itani explains how a MacBook with an iPhone chip can redefine Apple’s finances line.
Pay attention up: Listed here are 10 causes why you should change from Spotify to Apple Music.
iPhone’s default apps: What to vary and why you shouldn’t select WhatsApp.
Podcast of the week
2026 is shaping as much as be a really massive 12 months for Apple. In episode 942 of the Macworld Podcast, we speak in regards to the new merchandise Apple might launch subsequent 12 months, together with an surprising change for the Mac.
You possibly can catch each episode of the Macworld Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our personal web site.
Opinions nook
The rumor mill
iPhone 17 colours confirmed! See all of Apple’s 2025 choices proper right here.
The iPhone 17 Air will apparently have a titanium body, which is unnecessary.
Report: Apple’s folding iPhone gained’t have a crease due to laser-drilled plates.
iPhone 17 Professional may very well get that scratch-resistant, anti-reflective show.
Video of the week
A papaya-colored iPhone? All of the iPhone 17’s coloration choices are revealed in our newest brief. Catch all our short-form video on TikTok.
Software program updates, bugs, and issues
Some iPhone fashions might face U.S. gross sales ban by the top of the 12 months.
These are the new emojis coming to your iPhone in iOS 26.
The iOS 26 public beta everybody desires will arrive ‘round July 23.’
Google Chrome ends help for macOS Massive Sur.
And with that, we’re completed for this week’s Apple Breakfast. Should you’d prefer to get common roundups, join our newsletters, together with our new e mail from The Macalope–an irreverent, humorous tackle the newest information and rumors from a half-man, half-mythical Mac beast. You too can observe us on Fb, Threads, Bluesky, or X for dialogue of breaking Apple information tales. See you subsequent Monday, and keep Appley.
