A widespread IT outage has affected numerous global institutions, including major banks, media outlets, and airlines.
Emergency services in Alaska have been disrupted, and several US airlines have grounded flights worldwide.
Australia’s been notably hard hit, with broadcast networks like Sky News UK going off air and supermarkets experiencing significant disruptions.
The root cause of the outage remains unclear, though many affected have connected it to Microsoft PC operating systems.
Microsoft’s 365 service update earlier noted an issue impacting users’ access to various apps and services.
However, a Microsoft spokesperson later confirmed that “the majority of services were recovered” hours earlier.
Australian officials suggest the problem may be linked to a third-party software platform used by the affected companies, with no current evidence indicating a cyberattack.
“Our current information is this outage relates to a technical issue with a third-party software platform,” a statement from Australia’s Home Affairs Ministry read.
In Alaska, 911 and non-emergency call centers are experiencing malfunctions. Major US airlines, including United, Delta, and American Airlines, have implemented a “global ground stop” for their flights.
Australian airlines Virgin Australia and Jetstar have also faced flight delays and cancellations.
Australian telecom company Telstra has reported that emergency call centers remain operational, but it is collaborating with other state emergency services to establish backup systems.
Social media reports indicate long queues at Australian stores such as Woolworths, issues with payment systems, and difficulties accessing financial services like the National Australia Bank.
Source-BBC
