#TwitterDown Trending as Thousands Report Widespread Outages Across Platform
03:43 GMT 29.12.2022 (Updated: 12:57 GMT 14.04.2023)
© CHRIS DELMASElon Musk's Twitter page displayed on the screen of a smartphone with Twitter logo in the background in Los Angeles.
© CHRIS DELMAS
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In late October, SpaceX and Tesla owner Elon Musk completed his $44 billion purchase of Twitter and fired most of the executives and nearly half of Twitter’s total workforce. A few days later, hundreds of Twitter employees quit after Musk told them to expect a “hardcore” work environment.
Twitter users reported widespread outages on the platform late Wednesday, with many noting troubles accessing the site, although the issue appeared to be intermittent.
Netizens have been posting screenshots of them trying to access the site, only to be denied.
© Screenshot / TwitterTwitter Issues
Twitter Issues
© Screenshot / Twitter
For most users, the issue only lasts a few minutes before the site returns to normal, at least for a short time. Still, the matter has caused headaches for users and #TwitterDown is currently trending on the social media site with over 13,000 tweets, and counting, featuring the hashtag at press time.
Other users have reported issues posting tweets. Twitter’s official account, Twitter Support, has not yet commented the tech setback; however, Twitter CEO Elon Musk did comment that the platform "works for me."
According to Downdectector, the problems started around 7 p.m. EST, with thousands of reports being submitted to the website. Reports of issues are continuing to be submitted at press time.
© Screenshot / DowndetectorDownDetector.com reports Twitter issues on December 28, 2022
DownDetector.com reports Twitter issues on December 28, 2022
The issue seems to be primarily affecting the website, with multiple users mentioning that the app and TweetDeck continue to function properly for them. Eighty-two percent of the Downdetector.com reports come from the website, while only 10% mention the app and 8% cite “Server Connection” as the issue.
Multiple Twitter users have commented on the fact that Musk fired large portions of Twitter’s technical staff after he purchased the social media website.
Maybe Twitter being down is a good thing, but fr Elon shouldn't have fired most of his staff that could actually FIX and maintain Twitter. #TwitterDown
— Karl the top GPA (@GlitchyTheglit1) December 29, 2022
According to reports, some who were fired were asked to come back days later when it became apparent that their skills were needed to build new Twitter features Musk wanted to implement.
While it may not be related, it is worth noting that on Christmas Eve, Musk tweeted he was messing with Twitter’s infrastructure, bragging that the site continued to work even after he had unplugged “one of the more sensitive server racks.”
Even after I disconnected one of the more sensitive server racks
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 24, 2022
If he has not already, Musk may want to consider plugging it back in.