This makes no sense to me. If the CIA/NSA had the ability to force Apple to modify their offical XCode distribution then surely they could force Apple to do anything. This could include not encrypting iCloud data.
Note that it's not that CIA forced Apple to do something; the allegations are that CIA could be doing this without Apple even knowing.
Edit: But yes, I would agree with the idea that it might be possible for CIA or NSA to have "rooted" Apple entirely, and have total control over iCloud, iOS, Mac OS, etc. It does not seem entirely unlikely in fact.
Note that it's not that CIA forced Apple to do something; the allegations are that CIA could be doing this without Apple even knowing.
Edit: But yes, I would agree with the idea that it might be possible for CIA or NSA to have "rooted" Apple entirely, and have total control over iCloud, iOS, Mac OS, etc. It does not seem entirely unlikely in fact.