Hyderabad, December 11, 2024: A widespread technical outage disrupted services on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram on Monday, leaving millions of users unable to access the platforms. The error message, “Sorry, something went wrong. We’re working on getting this fixed as soon as we can,” appeared on Facebook, while WhatsApp and Instagram users reported issues with sending messages and loading feeds.
Details of the Outage
The problem began around 3:00 PM IST, with users across India and globally facing difficulties in accessing the platforms. On WhatsApp, messages remained unsent or undelivered, while Instagram users reported blank feeds and failed uploads. Many users took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their frustration and seek updates on the situation.
Meta’s Official Response
Meta, the parent company of all three platforms, acknowledged the issue in a statement. “We are aware that some users are experiencing problems with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Our technical teams are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible,” said a spokesperson.
Impact on Users
The outage disrupted personal communication, business operations, and content sharing, highlighting the dependency on these platforms for daily activities. Businesses relying on WhatsApp for customer interaction and Instagram influencers promoting campaigns were particularly affected.
Previous Similar Outages
This is not the first time the trio of Meta-owned platforms has faced technical issues.
- October 2021: A global outage lasting nearly six hours left all three platforms inaccessible, impacting billions of users.
- March 2019: A similar incident caused partial disruptions to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram for over 24 hours.
Current Status
As of now, Meta has not provided a clear timeline for the restoration of services. Users are advised to stay updated through Meta’s official communication channels.
The outage has once again raised questions about the reliability of centralized digital platforms, with calls for decentralized alternatives gaining momentum.
