On Monday, the social media platform X experienced multiple outages, which were attributed to a “massive cyberattack,” according to the company's owner, Elon Musk. In a post on X, Musk stated, “We get attacked every day, but this was done with a lot of resources. Either a large, coordinated group and/or a country is involved.” This revelation highlights the ongoing challenges that X faces in maintaining its platform security amidst increasing cyber threats.
Following the incidents, DownDetector, a website that tracks online problem reports from users, recorded over 40,000 reports of outages at X by Tuesday morning. This significant number underscores the widespread impact of the cyberattack on users trying to access the platform. As the situation unfolded, ABC News reached out to X for further comments regarding the outages, but responses have yet to be made public.
Since Elon Musk acquired X in 2022, the platform has faced several major outages. Notably, in February 2023, the platform, previously known as Twitter, experienced a prolonged outage that lasted for hours and necessitated an emergency fix. This incident prompted an apology from the company, indicating the difficulties that X has encountered under Musk's ownership.
Elon Musk, who commands a following of nearly 220 million users on X, has also emerged as a significant figure in government initiatives. He plays a prominent role in the Trump administration, particularly as a leading figure behind the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. As of last month, this cost-cutting group had successfully gained access to at least 15 government agencies, indicating Musk's influence not only in the tech sphere but also within governmental operations.
As X continues to navigate the challenges posed by cyberattacks and operational hurdles, the company’s ability to ensure platform stability and user security remains a top priority for its leadership.
