Time: 2024-07-19
A massive disruption occurred on Friday due to a global technology outage , affecting flights , banks , hospitals , and media outlets around the world . The issue was caused by a faulty update deployed to computers running Microsoft Windows , leading to widespread downtime and chaos.
The outage led to long lines at airports in the U.S. , Europe , and Asia , with airlines losing access to crucial check - in and booking services . News outlets in Australia were forced off air for hours , while hospitals , doctor 's offices , and banks in South Africa and New Zealand reported outages to their systems . The disruption also affected athletes and spectators heading to Paris for the Olympics.
The outage extended to internet services , with disruptions reported on airlines , payment platforms , and online shopping websites worldwide . Cyber expert James Bore expressed concerns about the real harm caused by the outage , especially in critical sectors like healthcare . Microsoft 365 acknowledged the issue and stated that they were working on redirecting traffic to minimize the impact.
Governments , officials , and companies worldwide scrambled to respond to the outage . New Zealand 's acting prime minister assured that they were working to understand the potential impacts and mitigate disruptions . Major delays were reported at airports globally , with several airlines being grounded in the U.S. and the U.K. Athletes and spectators arriving for the Paris Olympics faced delays due to disruptions in airline operations.
Several airports across Europe experienced difficulties , with delays and cancellations affecting flights . Australian airports faced widespread problems , while airlines in countries like India , Hong Kong , and Thailand resorted to manual check - in processes . The disruption also impacted banking services , internet providers , and media outlets , causing significant inconvenience to the public and businesses.
The outage continued to cause chaos across various sectors , with hospitals reporting problems in several countries . Britains National Health Service faced glitches affecting appointment and patient record systems , while hospitals in Germany and Israel reported disruptions to their operations . Major banks in South Africa and New Zealand experienced service disruptions , impacting customer transactions.
Shipping operations were also affected , with a container hub in Poland battling problems due to the global system outage . The widespread impact of the outage highlighted the vulnerabilities of depending on a few software providers and the need for robust contingency plans in the face of such disruptions . As the situation unfolded , efforts were made to restore services and address the aftermath of the technology outage.
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