Massive global internet outage hits banks, airports, others

A widespread Microsoft outage was disrupting flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world on Friday.

Escalating disruptions continued hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.

The website DownDectector, which tracks user-reported internet outages, recorded growing outages in services at Visa, ADT security and Amazon, and airlines including American Airlines and Delta.

On Friday, computers across the country began shutting down with multiple workers reporting issues at multiple different businesses.

The issue comes from a “bluescreen error” which is a result of a Crowdstrike outage, with servers and devices getting stuck in “boot loops”.

The IT issue has affected multiple countries including New Zealand, Japan, India, the US and the United Kingdom. Multiple businesses have been affected including media organisations such as News Corp’s global operations, the ABC, SBS, Channel 7, Channel 9, and Network 10.

But it has also hit EFTPOS services, airlines, banks and supermarkets, throwing the entire nation into chaos.

It is also affecting multiple major institutions, with crowd-sourced website Downdetector listing outages for Foxtel, NAB, Bendigo Bank, Suncorp Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Me Bank and more.

A government spokesperson confirmed the meeting of the National Emergency Mechanism just before 6pm AEST, with the group set to meet on Friday evening and co-chaired by the National Emergency Management Agency.

Crowdstrike has confirmed the outage is a result of a planned upgrade for Microsoft, and has flagged it may be able to come to a solution shortly.

The outage is also affecting multiple major institutions, with crowd-sourced website Downdetector listing outages for Foxtel, NAB, Bendigo Bank, Suncorp Bank, Commonwealth Bank, Me Bank and more.

Computer systems have crashed, with machines continually restarting.

Jetstar revealed on Friday that it was caught in the global computer meltdown.

“Jetstar is currently impacted by a global software issue that’s impacting airlines and other businesses around the world,” the company said.

“We recommend customers check the status of their flights before departing for the airport.

“We’re working with our providers to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

Qantas was forced to delay some flights on Friday evening because of the issue but were still flying.

The airline was working with its suppliers to fix the issue as quickly as possible but there was no timeline on resolving the problems.

Some passengers had already missed connecting flights while the problems were also expected to hit people planning to fly to Paris for the Olympic Games.

Major banks were reporting issues with Pay ID transfers but payments could still be made by entering BSB and account numbers.

NAB and Unloan apps were still working on users mobile phone applications on Friday evening.

There are also reports point-of-sales systems are being affected, with some people taking to Twitter to report Coles’ self-serve Eftpos machines weren’t working.

Another user took to X to say it was “mayhem at Woolworths” when the outages started.

Photos from supermarkets show the self-serve check-outs with the same blue screen affecting Windows computers nationwide, with workers manually checking-out shoppers.

The outage is also affecting the public service, with customers having to be turned away at Services NSW.