{
  "slug": "icloud-photos",
  "category": "photo-management",
  "name": "iCloud Photos",
  "description": "Apple's photo and video library sync built into the Photos app on Apple devices, with iCloud for Windows and web access. Photos are end-to-end encrypted only with the optional Advanced Data Protection setting, which is off by default.",
  "website": "https://support.apple.com/en-us/108782",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [
    "macos",
    "ios",
    "windows",
    "web"
  ],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "US",
    "name": "United States",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": false,
    "cloud_act": "provider"
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "C",
  "score": 60,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "iCloud Photos scores 60 out of 100 (grade C) on the photo management criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: no trackers or telemetry and no ads or data sales. It partly meets independent audit. It does not meet open source. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/icloud-photos/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/icloud-photos/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Closed source."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/device-analytics/",
      "note": "Device and iCloud analytics are only shared with Apple if the user agrees, and no third-party trackers are included."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/en-ww/",
      "note": "Funded by iCloud+ subscriptions and device sales, with no ads in iCloud Photos. Apple states it does not sell personal data."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://support.apple.com/guide/certifications/apple-internet-services-security-apc34d2c0468b/web",
      "note": "Apple's internet services, including iCloud, have yearly ISO 27001 and 27018 certification audits, but only the certificates are public."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:00:02.390Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}