Sunday, 4 May 2025
26.9 C
Singapore
31.3 C
Thailand
26 C
Indonesia
28.3 C
Philippines

Widespread outage hits Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, affecting global user base

Meta faces a significant challenge as Facebook and Instagram experience a global outage, impacting over 300,000 users.

In an unexpected turn of events on Tuesday, users of Meta’s social media giants, Facebook and Instagram, experienced a massive outage. This disruption began at approximately 10:00 am ET (1500 GMT) and quickly escalated into a global issue, leaving hundreds of thousands unable to access these platforms.

An unexpected digital silence

You might have experienced a moment of confusion when attempting to check your Facebook or Instagram, you found yourself unceremoniously logged out. This scenario played out for countless individuals globally. On Downdetector.com, a website that tracks outages, reports surged with over 300,000 instances for Facebook and 40,000 for Instagram. This unexpected digital blackout disrupted the routine of millions who rely on these platforms for communication, business, and leisure.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed awareness of the issue, assuring that efforts were underway to resolve it. However, this hiccup didn’t just affect users externally; it also echoed through the financial market. Meta’s shares saw a 1.2% decrease in value during late-morning trading. The significance of this outage is underscored by Meta’s vast network, boasting around 3.19 billion daily active users across its suite of applications, including WhatsApp and Threads.

Internal turmoil and reactions

The ripple effect of this outage was felt not just by the global user base but also internally at Meta. Employees reported difficulties accessing their work systems, leading to confusion and concern about job security, notably voiced through posts on the anonymous messaging app Blind. Even Meta’s business-oriented services, like the WhatsApp Business API, faced issues, though these were relatively minor compared to the larger platforms.

The outage quickly became a trending topic, particularly on social media platforms such as the one formerly known as Twitter. Here, the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, took the opportunity to critique Meta subtly, noting the operational status of his network. It’s important to note that since Musk’s high-profile US$44 billion acquisition of the platform in October 2022, it, too, has experienced its share of service interruptions, highlighting the challenges even major tech giants face in maintaining consistent online services.

Seeking solutions amidst the digital disruption

As the global community grapples with this digital disconnect, Meta’s teams are working around the clock to restore access and functionality. The outage underscores social media’s pivotal role in our lives, from keeping us connected with friends and family to supporting businesses and internal communications within large organisations.

Meta is now tasked with resolving the current issue and reassuring its users and stakeholders of the resilience and reliability of its platforms. As the world waits for updates and solutions, this incident is a stark reminder of the central role of digital platforms in our daily lives and the widespread impact when they falter.

Hot this week

Neuralink’s journey towards merging minds with machines

Neuralink’s journey to merge human minds with machines marks a major milestone, offering transformative potential for healthcare, technology, and beyond.

Apple’s AirPods Pro dropped to their lowest price of the year so far

Apple’s latest AirPods Pro with USB-C are now just US$169—this year’s best price and only US$16 more than their Black Friday price.

ASUS and ROG to showcase AI innovations and gaming breakthroughs at Computex 2025

ASUS and ROG will unveil AI innovations and immersive gaming experiences at Computex 2025 from 20 to 23 May in Taipei.

Semperis launches Ready1 to boost cyber crisis response for Singapore businesses

Semperis unveils Ready1 to streamline cyber crisis management, with Singapore ranking among the most prepared yet still facing major response gaps.

Financial sector outages cost US$2.2 million per hour, says New Relic report

Financial firms face US$2.2M/hour in outage costs; New Relic report shows AI-led observability as key to resilience and digital success.

Firefox’s future in danger if Google search deal is blocked, says Mozilla executive

Due to a court ruling, Mozilla says Firefox could shut down if it loses the Google search deal, as most of its funding depends on that partnership.

Apple teams up with Anthropic to create AI-powered coding platform

Apple partners with Anthropic to build an AI coding tool using Claude Sonnet, boosting internal development with future potential.

Apple warns of US$900 million cost increase from tariffs despite strong quarter

Apple warns of a US$900M cost increase from tariffs despite strong earnings as trade policy uncertainty clouds next quarter.

Spotify app update finally approved by Apple

Spotify users in the U.S. can now view pricing and pay outside the app after Apple approved a major update following court orders.

Related Articles

Popular Categories