Thousands of users report WhatsApp technical issues
Messaging service WhatsApp has gone down, according to thousands of reports flagged to outage monitor Downdetector.
More than 50,000 reports from users, saying they could not use the app to send messages, were flagged to the service on Friday afternoon.
The majority of the reports suggested people were having connectivity issues and difficulty sending messages.
The BBC has approached the app’s parent company Meta for comment.
The force says scammers gather codes to hijack accounts and ask for money from people’s contacts.
Kasi Reid, from Coventry, says a man called her claiming to be a parent at her son’s school.
Lichfield District Council is expanding a WhatsApp help service trialled in July.
A school warns the “Add Everyone” group could put children in “dangerous and vulnerable situations”.
David Smith, 68, used Snapchat, WhatsApp and Kik to seek out and contact victims as young as 12.
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BREAKING NEWS
WhatsApp is DOWN: Messaging app crashes for thousands of users around the world
By SHIVALI BEST FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 15:46 GMT, 28 February 2025 | UPDATED: 16:18 GMT, 28 February 2025
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It’s one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.
But it appears that WhatsApp has crashed this afternoon, with thousands reporting issues.
According to Down Detector, the problems started at around 3:10pm, and are affecting WhatsApp users around the world.
So far, more than 68,000 issues have been logged on Down Detector UK.
Of those who reported issues, 59 per cent said they were struggling to send messages, while 22 per cent were experiencing a server connection.
The remaining 19 per cent said the problem was with the app.
Meanwhile, reports are now coming in from the US, where more than 8,200 problems have been logged.
Meta, which owns WhatsApp is yet to comment on the issue, although MailOnline has contacted them for comment.
It’s one of the most popular messaging apps around the world. But it appears that WhatsApp has crashed this afternoon, with thousands reporting issues
So far, more than 68,000 issues have been logged on Down Detector UK. Of those who reported issues, 59 per cent said they were struggling to send messages, while 22 per cent were experiencing a server connection
Reports are now coming in from the US, where more than 8,200 problems have been logged
While WhatsApp is yet to comment on the outage, several users have flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss it.
‘Me running to X to see if WhatsApp is actually down or it’s my network,’ one user tweeted alongside a GIF of people rushing down an escalator.
Another added: ‘No need to switch flight mode on and off, whatsapp is indeed down.’
And one joked: ‘WhatsApp is down, and now X is the new customer care center.
‘Everyone’s here like: “Is it just me?” “Is it my WiFi?” “Did I forget to pay my internet bill?”
‘No mate, we’re all in this together refreshing X like it’s a WhatsApp alternative!’
While the reason for the latest outage remains unclear, it comes four years after Meta experienced a seven-hour blackout that cost the company an estimated $100million in lost revenue.
The global outage – which hit Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger – was caused when a faulty update disconnected its servers from the internet, meaning engineers had to travel to its Santa Clara data center to fix the glitch in-person.
While WhatsApp is yet to comment on the outage, several users have flocked to X (formerly Twitter) to discuss it
WhatsApp users flocked to X as soon as they realised WhatsApp wasn’t working
But the repair was delayed, according to one insider who was posting on Reddit, because of ‘lower staffing in data centers due to pandemic measures’.
The glitch, which prompted calls for a break-up of big tech firms, also brought down messaging services that remote-working staff use to communicate.
So those who knew how to fix the servers couldn’t get that information to the teams inside the data-center, the insider said.
Also disabled were key-fob entry systems at Facebook’s main campus in Menlo, meaning those who had been WFH but rushed back to the office could not get inside while those already inside were unable to access conference rooms and other areas that required a pass.
If you’re considering deleting WhatsApp, you’ll be happy to hear that there are several alternative apps to choose from:
1. Telegram
With more than 400 million users, Telegram is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives.
While it looks very similar to WhatsApp, what sets it apart is the fact that it gives the option to set messages to self-destruct after a given period of time, leaving no trace.
Telegram also offers end-to-end encryption.
However, as a WhatsApp spokesperson pointed out, Telegram ‘does not offer end-to-end encryption by default so it’s not necessarily more secure than WhatsApp’.
2. Signal
Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, thanks to the fact that it is open-source.
This means that the code for the app is publicly available to view, making it near-impossible for the app’s creators to sneak in any backdoors that could allow governments or hackers to spy on your messages.
3. iMessage
If you use an iPhone, you may consider simply switching to iMessage, Apple’s own messaging app.
The app has a number of impressive features included no character limits, the ability to send pictures and videos, and of course Apple’s animated emoji feature, Animoji.
Unfortunately, iMessage is only available for iPhone users, so you’ll struggle to interact with anyone using an Android.
4. Google Messages
Google’s answer to iMessage is Google Messages, an Android-only messaging service.
The app replaces your standard SMS app, and integrates with all of Google’s apps and services, making it easy to share images or use Google Assistant.
5. Facebook Messenger
If you were put off using WhatsApp due to its sharing of data with Facebook, Facebook Messenger may not be the best option for you.
However, the app offers a number of helpful features, including games, secret conversations and video calls.
Comments are subject to our House rules and Terms
BUT….. Are users FURIOUS? or in a FRENZY??
At least my bosses Mrs won’t be able to message me for a few hours
Working fine for me too.
Not sure why my original post saying exactly this, was added as a reply to a comment that I’ve only just read…
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