A global computer glitch, apparently triggered by software distributed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, caused widespread outages late Thursday and into Friday morning. The issue significantly disrupted various sectors, including aviation, cloud services, and emergency communications.
The glitch affected airline communications, leading the Federal Aviation Administration to ground major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines. Microsoft, a key provider of cloud services to businesses and governments, also experienced service outages.
Microsoft issued a statement acknowledging the problem and stated that it was under investigation. The company cautioned that users “may be unable to access various Microsoft 365 apps and services.”
The exact series of events leading to the glitch remains unclear, but the impact was felt globally. Airports in Japan and Australia, 911 phone lines in Alaska, the London Stock Exchange, and hospitals in England were among the entities experiencing major disruptions. Entire companies reported being offline, and merchants struggled to process payments in some cities. News agencies, such as Sky News in Australia, also reported being completely knocked offline.
