Apple users are experiencing problems setting up new devices or accessing files stored on the cloud due to an ongoing iCloud outage that has lasted for more than 24 hours. Apple has not provided any reason for the outage or responded to our questions. The issue is not only affecting people trying to activate new devices but is also causing issues accessing data stored on iCloud, such as Photos. Apple states that the issues were resolved at 4:35 PM EST today, 36 hours after the outage originally started. The outage could not have happened at the worst time as people can not activate new Apple devices they received for the holidays.
Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/apple/apple-icloud-outage-prevents-device-activations-access-to-data/