Apple uses DMCA takedowns to remove leaked iPhone 18 Pro posts

Apple has begun issuing DMCA takedown notices to remove X posts containing leaked materials related to the iPhone 18 Pro, according to AppleInsider.

Videos showing drop tests of Apple's unannounced smartphone began circulating on X on Monday. The footage showed a silver device without the two-tone finish introduced on the iPhone 17 Pro, while retaining Apple's familiar triple-camera layout. The videos were first posted by an account using the @evleaks handle and later reposted by well-known leaker Ice Universe. Within a day, the posts started disappearing, replaced by X notices citing policy violations, while the @evleaks account itself was suspended.

The leaked materials reportedly originated from a cyberattack on Tata Electronics, Apple's manufacturing partner in India responsible for assembling iPhones and supplying components. According to Reuters, the ransomware group World Leaks published more than 200,000 files totaling over 630 GB on the dark web. Cybernews reports that the archive includes iPhone 18 Pro motherboard schematics, supplier information, employee passport scans, and documents related to other Tata customers, including Tesla, TSMC, and Qualcomm.

Among the leaked files are at least six documents believed to describe specific iPhone 18 Pro components, including motherboard chips, battery parts, camera modules, and their suppliers. A Reuters source familiar with Apple's response said the company considers this information particularly sensitive, as it typically keeps supplier details confidential until new products are officially announced.

Forbes also notes that the viral videos posted by the @evleaks account, which have received more than 13,000 views, do not appear to be connected to the real Evan Blass. Blass publicly stated that he has no affiliation with either the account or the videos, explaining that someone else took over the @evleaks username after he stepped away from the leak community. He also joked that Apple had finally managed to do what Samsung never could—quickly remove leaks from social media.

According to AppleInsider, Apple's aggressive response is unusual. The company has historically taken a relatively hands-off approach toward product leaks. This case appears different because it involves genuine stolen internal documents rather than secondhand rumors, bringing the leaked materials under trade secret protections.

Tata Electronics confirmed the incident to Reuters, saying its business operations were not affected. Following the breach, the company restricted remote access to its internal systems and hired independent cybersecurity experts to investigate the attack.