In the midst of a widespread outage affecting Meta Platforms-owned Facebook and Instagram, Elon Musk, the owner of X, seized the opportunity to take a playful jab at the rival social media giant. Musk wittily remarked, "If you're reading this post, it's because our servers are working." The outage, which left millions of users unable to access their accounts, prompted frustration and speculation. While Meta already Resolved the issue, Musk's humorous comment added a light-hearted touch to the situation.

Social media giants Facebook and Instagram have restored their services following a widespread outage today. Users faced difficulties loading apps, sending messages, and refreshing feeds earlier. The disruption, affecting India and other regions, also led to log-in issues. Meta Platforms, the parent company, acknowledged the problem and assured users of ongoing resolution efforts. Additionally, YouTube encountered similar issues but has since resumed normal operations. Outage tracking sites recorded tens of thousands of reports, prompting users to seek alternatives like X social network and WhatsApp. Meta's spokesperson confirmed the restoration efforts amid user frustration.

Facebook and Instagram experienced a widespread outage, affecting thousands of users globally. The issue, which began around 3:00 pm, has left social media enthusiasts unable to access their accounts. Downdetector reports over 90,000 Facebook and 16,000 Instagram outage complaints, marking one of Meta's most significant challenges in years. Users frustrated by the disruption have turned to alternative platforms to express their grievances. Meta's technical team is actively working to resolve the glitch, a rare occurrence for the social media giant. The cause of the problem remains unclear, and users eagerly await a solution.

Users globally reported Facebook and Instagram outages, with over 17,000 and 9,000 outage reports, respectively, on Downdetector. Facebook users cite troubles with the website (64%), app (22%), and logging service (14%). The outage started at 3 pm and persists at the time of writing. Instagram users also encounter issues, with 88% reporting problems. The cause and resolution timeline are yet to be confirmed. Social media enthusiasts express frustration as the platforms remain inaccessible.

Google reinstated all Indian apps removed from its platform following government intervention, stated ANI. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw criticized the delisting, affirming India's policy to protect startups. Vaishnaw arranged a meeting with Google, emphasizing the impermissibility of such actions. Earlier, Google delisted apps from Info Edge and others for non-compliance with payment policies. Affected companies, like Bharat Matrimony and Kuku FM, expressed concern over Google's dominance. Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted the need to examine if Google's actions constitute abuse of its market position. The government aims to address potential misuse of power by tech giants.

In an exclusive interview, Bill Gates expressed optimism about job security amid AI advancements, highlighting the world's increased access to jobs. Gates commended India's digital strides, praising the direct transfer of government payments to bank accounts, citing substantial savings. Emphasizing the Gates Foundation's support for India's vaccine industry, he called the nation's contributions during the pandemic "a treasure to the world." Gates addressed breakthroughs in anaemia treatment, where AI aids a one-time infusion. Reflecting on climate change, he noted India's resilience efforts. Lighter moments included Gates enjoying "fantastic chai" in Hyderabad, lauding the morning view.

Regional Passport Officer Anuj Swarup cautions passport applicants against rising cyber fraud, urging them to use only the official website, https://www.passportindia.gov.in. Cybercriminals create deceptive domains resembling the official site, leading to financial scams. Legitimate portals charge Rs 1500, while fraudulent ones demand Rs 4000 to Rs 5000. Swarup emphasizes vigilance, highlighting the importance of awareness campaigns to educate applicants. Authorities must intensify efforts to enhance online security awareness, ensuring individuals can discern between genuine and counterfeit websites, especially in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Apple has reportedly canceled plans to build electric vehicles (EVs) after a decade of secretive development involving around two thousand employees. The project, known as Project Titan, was aimed at creating a fully autonomous vehicle. Instead, many employees will be shifted to Apple's artificial intelligence division. The decision reflects a shift in focus towards AI and away from EVs, as market demand for electric vehicles remains uncertain. Other major players in the EV market, such as Ford and General Motors, have also faced challenges, with some postponing production expansion plans. Tesla, too, has warned of weaker sales growth amid tough competition.

Sony is cutting 900 jobs at its PlayStation unit and closing a London studio due to a sluggish post-pandemic videogame market. This represents about 8% of the division's workforce globally. The company cites changes in industry dynamics for the layoffs. Sales expectations for the PlayStation 5 have been lowered, and no major franchise titles are planned for the next fiscal year. The global videogame market grew by only 0.6% in 2023. Sony's decision aligns with similar moves by Microsoft and Riot Games.

OpenAI claims the New York Times "hacked" its chatbot, ChatGPT, producing misleading evidence for a copyright lawsuit. OpenAI argues that the Times used "deceptive prompts" violating terms of use. In a Manhattan court filing, OpenAI accuses the Times of paying someone to manipulate its products. The Times, suing OpenAI and Microsoft, alleges the unauthorized use of millions of articles. The tech industry insists on fair use, emphasizing the potential harm to a trillion-dollar AI sector. Both parties are yet to comment on OpenAI's request for dismissal. The lawsuit reveals tensions between media and AI over intellectual property.