ChatGPT back online after global disruption; internet responds with memes

ChatGPT, the widely used AI-powered chatbot, suffered a significant outage on Thursday, temporarily leaving millions of users across the globe unable to access the service. The disruption, which started shortly before 4.30 a.m. IST, also affected OpenAI's API, creating challenges for businesses and developers relying on the platform.

OpenAI promptly acknowledged the issue on social media, stating that they had identified the cause and were actively working to resolve it. “We're experiencing an outage right now. We have identified the issue and are working to roll out a fix. Sorry and we'll keep you updated!,” the company posted on X. 

By 8.30 a.m. IST, the issue had been addressed, and services were restored.

WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook also experience glitches

Meanwhile, disruptions were also reported on Meta’s flagship platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. Users globally reported issues ranging from failed message delivery to complete app inaccessibility.

Meta acknowledged the technical problems and posted a statement on X, saying, “We’re aware that a technical issue is impacting some users’ ability to access our apps. We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience.”

According to BBC, Instagram and WhatsApp have resumed normal operations following a widespread global outage that disrupted several Meta-owned platforms on Wednesday. Facebook, however, has not yet confirmed if all technical issues have been fully resolved.

Netizens react to ChatGPT downtime

The outage triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with users expressing frustration over slow logins and unresponsive chatbot features. Some lamented their inability to complete projects, while others joked about the reliance on AI tools in everyday life. Downdetector, a website that tracks service disruptions, logged over 28,000 complaints during the downtime.