Several major websites, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Facebook, and X, experienced disruptions following a widespread Cloudflare outage this November 18. The company confirmed it was investigating an issue affecting numerous customers and has implemented a fix to resolve it. However, it warned that “customers may continue to observe higher-than-normal error rates as we continue remediation efforts.”
Cloudflare, which supports countless online platforms by providing protection against cyberattacks and stabilizing site performance during heavy traffic, also saw outage-tracking service Down Detector impacted by the same technical problems.
Initially developed for military purposes, the internet is now a mainstay of our daily lives. It has revolutionized how we communicate, shop, educate, and entertain. Most of us couldn't imagine the world without the internet, and when big sites go down, the impact is felt far and wide.
The world has experienced a number of outages that impacted banks, airlines, and businesses. But what other incidents have disrupted the world? If you're keen to find out, click through this gallery now.