Time: 2024-12-09
The indie / experimental game depository Itch.io confront some issue in October, which light-emitting_diode to fear about its stability. However, two calendar_month later, the site did go down, but it was not due to any geopolitical reason. Instead, Itch.io indicate finger at Funko for the outage. When user try to entree the site, they were meet with a message state that the site could n't be reach, bespeak a complete shutdown.
Itch.io uncover that Funko was responsible for the site being take down. This action was a consequence of the use of an"AI power"Brand Protection Software by Funko, know as BrandShield, which generate a false phishing report about Itch.io to the sphere registrar, iwantmyname. Despite Itch.io comply with the removal of the challenge page immediately, the registrar's automatize system disabled the sphere without properly admit the removal confirmation.
The site stay offline as Itch.io expect a response from the registrar, iwantmyname, see the situation. Itch.io clarify that the stallion site travel down due to the action of Funko Pops' manufacturer exploitation an undependable Army_Intelligence service that wrongfully file a phishing report. Eventually, on December 9 at 6:30 americium, the site was restore and back online for user to access.
itch.io experience a prolong time_period of downtime on a Sunday night as the incrimination was put on a automatize takedown that was originate by Funko, the Godhead of Funko Pop collectible figurine. Funko's use of BrandShield, an Army_Intelligence-power software, result in a bogus phishing report about the itch.io site, lead to the site being disabled by the sphere registrar, iwantmyname.
Despite Itch.io promptly remove the challenge page that trip the phishing report, the site stay down as iwantmyname seemingly did not admit the removal confirmation. The site eventually come back online between 5 and 6 americium EST on a Monday morning, after being offline for at least three hours, causing inconvenience to player and developer who trust on the platform for distribution.
BrandShield, the software use by Funko, is describe as an Army_Intelligence-power solution that proctor for hallmark violation, phishing attempt, and counterfeit activity. Polygon reach out to both Itch.io and Funko for remark on the situation, highlight the impact of the site outage on Godhead who use Itch.io for their products.