ICloud

iCloud is a cloud storage and cloud computing service provided by Apple. It offers various internet-based services, including iCloud Photos, device backups, and the Find My network.

Incidents

2014 Celebrity Photo Leaks

In August 2014, a series of brute-force attacks targeted iCloud accounts, leading to the unauthorized access and release of private photographs belonging to multiple celebrities. Apple denied that a breach of iCloud itself had occurred, attributing the incident to weak user passwords and phishing attacks. However, vulnerabilities allowing brute-force attacks remained unaddressed the following year, raising concerns over iCloud’s security measures.

Data Hosting in China

In 2018, Apple transitioned Chinese users’ iCloud data to local servers in compliance with Chinese data laws. The move raised concerns regarding government surveillance, as the encryption keys for the data were also stored within China. Apple stated that this change only affected users residing in mainland China; however, it did not specify how it distinguishes between residents and visitors.

End-to-End Encryption Restrictions in the United Kingdom

In February 2025, Apple disabled Advanced Data Protection (also known as ADP), its end-to-end encryption feature for iCloud, for users in the United Kingdom. The decision followed a request from the UK government, which sought access to encrypted user data.