Adobe Sign Blocks China Access: What IT, Legal, and Security Leaders Must Know in 2025

These kinds of moves will become more common in the future. How can orgs regain control over data protection?

In a significant policy shift, Adobe Sign will begin blocking all digital signing requests originating from mainland China by the last week of June 2025. Any attempt to send, sign, or view documents from inside China will trigger an error.

This change has triggered real concern among IT administrators and compliance teams who rely on cross-border signing workflows. So what does this mean for your business, and how can you stay secure and compliant?

What the IT community is saying

On Reddit’s r/sysadmin subreddit, the tone is urgent:

“Policy is what you choose to abide by… it can change,” wrote one admin, highlighting how disruptive last-minute policy shifts can be for compliance teams.

Another commented, “we now need a whole suite of separate technical solutions for file sharing, email, collaboration, etc. that IT needs to govern and also meets the requirements of the policy,” especially when regulations like China’s PIPL or EO 14117 come into play.

One of the more sobering takeaways: “We have many clients in mainland China. […] we will have to find an alternative digital signing service that works in China. Adobe will simply lose our business with this policy.”

Some have proposed workarounds, such as VPNs, jump-boxes, and routing tricks, but others warn these can raise OFAC and EAR enforcement risks. In short, the quick fix may become the bigger liability.

The real issue: compliance, not just connectivity

It’s tempting to look for an e-sign tool that still works in China and call it a day. But that approach can expose you to larger issues across multiple jurisdictions:

• EO 14117: U.S. sensitive data must be protected from foreign access, even during cross-border transactions.

• GDPR: European personal data stored in unauthorized regions can trigger fines.

The real solution isn’t just finding a tool that connects; it’s finding one that protects.

Introducing a secure Adobe Sign alternative: Confidencial E-Sign

Confidencial E-Sign is a secure digital signature platform that works across borders while aligning with strict compliance frameworks, including CISA’s data-level security requirements under Executive Order 14117.

Key advantages:

• Control the stack, avoid the blocks: Confidencial runs on your infrastructure, servers or cloud, so you’re not dependent on blocked platforms or third-party routing.

• Data stays with you: Our data-blind architecture ensures your documents remain in your environment. Confidencial never sees or stores your data.

• EO 14117-aligned encryption

  • Lifelong field-level encryption that stays embedded in the document

  • Encryption keys are never co-located with data

  • Key access can be restricted from foreign jurisdictions and unauthorized personnel

• Audit-ready visibility: Every signature is logged with timestamp, signer identity, and source IP for full traceability.

Why now?

The Adobe Sign China block takes effect in late June. Waiting could mean stalled deals, compliance risks, and patchwork fixes under pressure.

Confidencial E-Sign gives you control, compliance, and continuity - all without workarounds.

👉 Book a 15-minute demo today and receive one month of Confidencial E-Sign free.