On Monday afternoon, many internet users faced problems with various platforms relying on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Earlier that day, AWS announced it was recovering from an outage that affected multiple apps and websites. Users reported issues with popular services like Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, Robinhood, and even the McDonald’s app, according to Downdetector.
Affected services weren’t limited to third-party apps. Even Amazon’s own devices, like Ring doorbell cameras and Alexa speakers, experienced disruptions. Some users couldn’t access the Amazon website or download books to their Kindles.
By mid-morning, AWS stated recovery had begun, but problems persisted. Around 1 p.m. ET, thousands of Venmo users still faced issues, along with disruptions reported on platforms like the AI chatbot Claude and the Wall Street Journal. Social media quickly lit up with users sharing their frustrations.
For example, RTC Southern Nevada, the local transit authority, tweeted, “An Amazon Web Services outage is impacting information in the Transit app. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
AWS later explained that the outage stemmed from an internal subsystem that monitors the health of their network load balancers. This hiccup even caused problems in the airline industry. Southwest Airlines reported issues that affected the dispatching of flights, while United’s app faced disruptions. Delta noted a few minor delays early that morning.
AWS first detected the issue at 3:11 a.m. ET. Engineers quickly began diagnosing the problem, with updates indicating gradual recovery throughout the day. However, the impact was widespread, affecting countless users and services.
Patrick Burgess, a cybersecurity expert from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, emphasized how much we depend on a few major cloud providers. “The world now runs on the cloud,” he said. Our reliance on these platforms means that when one experiences an issue, it affects a wide array of services. Users often can’t see the underlying problem—only the visible disruptions to their favorite apps.
This incident highlights a growing concern: as more of our daily lives move online, stability in cloud services is crucial. A recent survey found that 72% of companies reported that outages can significantly hinder productivity, showcasing the importance of reliable cloud infrastructures in our tech-driven world. As we continue to rely heavily on digital services, understanding these dependencies will be vital for both consumers and businesses alike.
Source link
Amazon
