Amazon outage disrupts top apps, websites, and banks: Latest update
A significant internet outage has impacted numerous top applications, websites, and banking services globally. Many users reported difficulties with platforms including Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, Duolingo, and Canva as early as 8 a.m. UK time, which translates to midnight Pacific Time. The problems are related to issues at Amazon Web Services (AWS), a critical infrastructure provider for many online services.
Amazon Web Services Outage: Overview
Amazon Web Services has reported increased error rates and delays affecting multiple services. AWS is the leading cloud service provider worldwide, generating $108 billion in revenue last year, significantly contributing to Amazon’s profits.
Timeline of Events
- 8:00 AM (UK Time): Problems began, affecting numerous apps.
- 90 Minutes In: Amazon acknowledged ongoing issues and commenced investigation.
- Latest Update: Amazon identified a potential root cause related to DNS resolution issues in the US-EAST-1 region.
Impact on Services
Several notable banks, including Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, experienced service disruption. Users reported being unable to access online banking features across these institutions.
Widespread Affected Platforms
According to Down Detector, the following services displayed operational issues:
- Snapchat
- Fortnite
- Roblox
- Duolingo
- Canva
- HMRC (UK’s tax authority)
- Coinbase
- Amazon services: AWS, Amazon Music, Prime Video
- Online games: Clash Royale, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go
- Life360, My Fitness Pal, Xero, Vodafone, Playstation, Wordle
Current Status
As of now, Amazon continues to work on resolving the issues affecting its facilities in northern Virginia. The service disruption underscores the critical role of AWS in the functioning of a vast array of digital services.
This event serves as a reminder of the reliance on cloud infrastructure in modern internet operations. Users across the globe remain affected by the ongoing disruptions, highlighting the interconnected nature of digital services.
