Major Internet Outage Disrupts Key Apps and Streaming Services

A significant internet outage on October 25, 2023, has caused disruptions across multiple platforms, impacting major applications and streaming services globally. Users reported issues with popular services such as Snapchat, Neon, Fortnite, and Roblox, as they faced connectivity problems during the evening hours.

According to Downdetector, the outage began affecting services in New Zealand around 20:30 local time. The disruptions extended beyond social media and gaming platforms, severely impacting streaming services including TVNZ+ and Sky TV. Users reported difficulties in accessing content and maintaining stable connections across these platforms.

The issues stem from an outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS), a leading cloud service provider. AWS provides crucial infrastructure for many online services, and its downtime has cascading effects on numerous applications reliant on its support. The outage has raised concerns about the reliability of cloud services, particularly when popular platforms become unavailable for extended periods.

In New Zealand, reports of disruptions continued to escalate throughout the evening, with users taking to social media to express frustration over the lack of access. The impact was felt not only by individual users but also by businesses that rely on these applications for daily operations. For instance, Duolingo users faced interruptions while trying to engage with language lessons, further illustrating the widespread nature of the outage.

As of late evening on October 25, AWS has acknowledged the issue and is working towards resolving it. The company has not provided an estimated time for restoration of services, leaving many users in a state of uncertainty. The outage serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in cloud-based services, which have become integral to modern digital life.

Affected users are advised to monitor updates from service providers and AWS for the latest information regarding service restoration. As the situation develops, it is expected that further assessments of the impact on businesses and users will emerge in the coming days.