ChatGPT Faces Major Global Outage Affecting Users Worldwide
On February 6, 2025, ChatGPT, OpenAI's AI chatbot, encountered significant disruptions that reverberated across the globe. The disruption commenced around 10 AM IST, prompting an influx of reports on platforms like Downdetector, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue.
Over 1,400 users lodged complaints, with more than 98% attributing their problems directly to ChatGPT, signifying a broad service disruption.
Acknowledgment and Recovery Efforts
Based in San Francisco, OpenAI swiftly acknowledged the outage via its status page. The company initially identified the issue at 9:58 AM IST, reassuring users that they were actively working on restoring services.
User Response on Social Media
Users turned to social media platforms to validate their shared experiences during the outage. Many users flocked to X (previously Twitter), with one user humorously noting, "I actually love Twitter because anytime I think it’s just me, I come here and find out everyone is thinking the exact same way. So I can confirm ChatGPT is down." This trend of seeking affirmation on social media during service disruptions has become a common practice.
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Confirmation of Operational Status
OpenAI's spokesperson officially confirmed, at midnight EST, that "All systems are currently operational" following what seemed to be successful recovery endeavors. Interestingly, the outage coincided with OpenAI's recent announcement of deploying ChatGPT for educational purposes, targeting approximately 500,000 individuals at California State University.
Broader Implications and User Dependency
This incident follows a previous substantial outage late last December, attributed to issues with OpenAI's upstream provider, the intermediary responsible for linking local ISPs to the broader internet.
Looking Ahead
While waiting for service recovery, users reflected on the technological challenges shaping the future of AI interactions worldwide. OpenAI's swift recovery remains crucial for their reputation as they strive to enhance functionalities and engagement through strategic initiatives.
