A widespread outage has struck several key Microsoft services, causing significant disruptions for users across Asia and Europe. According to a report from BleepingComputer, the affected services include Bing.com, Copilot for web and mobile, Windows Copilot, ChatGPT internet search, and DuckDuckGo.
Microsoft services outage details
The Microsoft services outage began around 3 AM EDT on May 23, 2024, with users reporting blank pages or HTTP 429 error codes when attempting to access Bing.com. While the Bing search engine itself remains functional when accessed directly, the homepage is inaccessible.
Microsoft’s Copilot, a powerful AI assistant integrated into various platforms, has been rendered completely offline during this outage. Users are unable to access Copilot through the website, mobile app, or the Windows integration.
Impact on third-party services
The outage has also had a ripple effect on other services that rely on Microsoft’s Bing API. ChatGPT’s internet search functionality, which utilizes Bing’s capabilities, has been impacted, as confirmed by OpenAI on their support page.
Similarly, DuckDuckGo, a privacy-focused search engine, has been experiencing issues due to its reliance on the Bing API. Users attempting to conduct searches on DuckDuckGo are met with error messages, preventing them from accessing search results.
Ongoing investigation and response
As of now, Microsoft has not provided an official statement regarding the outage. However, the company is likely investigating the root cause and working to restore services as soon as possible. But,, there was a statement made on the @MSFT365Status on X (formerly Twitter).
We're investigating an issue where users may be unable to access the Microsoft Copilot service. We're working to isolate the cause of the issue. More information can be found in the admin center under CP795190.
— Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) May 23, 2024
The widespread nature of this Microsoft services outage highlights the interconnectedness of various services and the potential for cascading effects when a major provider experiences disruptions.
What happens now?
Users and businesses relying on the affected Microsoft services, as well as those dependent on third-party services like ChatGPT and DuckDuckGo, are advised to monitor official communication channels for updates on the situation.
In an update, Microsoft has confirmed an issue where users could not get access to the Microsoft Copilot service. “We’re working to isolate the cause of the issue. More information can be found in the admin center under CP795190,” Microsoft noted in a post on X.
We're investigating an issue where users may be unable to access the Microsoft Copilot service. We're working to isolate the cause of the issue. More information can be found in the admin center under CP795190.
— Microsoft 365 Status (@MSFT365Status) May 23, 2024
As the outage continues, the impact on productivity, communication, and access to information could be significant, underscoring the importance of robust contingency plans and diversified service providers in today’s digital landscape.
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