Real-Time Updates on Global IT Outage: Microsoft-CrowdStrike Blackout

FTC Chair Lina Khan has drawn attention to the ongoing CrowdStrike outage, linking it to market competition and the fragility of systems. Khan pointed out that concentrating production can concentrate risk, leading to cascading effects from any disruption. While she did not announce an FTC investigation, Khan referenced past actions regarding cloud computing companies and acquisitions in the technology industry. Meanwhile, CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz apologized for the outage, reassuring customers that the issue was not cybersecurity-related and that a solution had been deployed. Amazon warehouses, Tesla manufacturing facilities, and healthcare providers like CommonSpirit Health and Epic Systems are among those affected by the outage, leading to disruptions in operations. Union Pacific, on the other hand, has returned to full capacity after facing initial delays. While CrowdStrike shares are down, the situation is being monitored by regulators, and impacted airlines and healthcare organizations are gradually recovering. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expects disruptions to normalize by Saturday, with airlines experiencing the most direct impact. The Federal Reserve reported that its critical systems are functioning normally, despite the ongoing tech issues. The situation is being closely monitored to ensure minimal disruption across various sectors, with efforts focused on restoring services and addressing the root cause of the outage.