Popular microblogging site X, formerly known as Twitter, is back online after a global service outage that lasted over an hour on Thursday. Many users complained of being unable to view tweets on their timeline while Twitter was down.
According to Downdetector, over 87,000 users reported they could not access the X app or website. Most of these complaints (over 74,000) came from users based in the United States. However, users in the UK, Canada, India, and Europe were also affected.
Twitter has yet to comment on the situation. It is unclear what caused the service outage or how many users were impacted globally.
X Users Unable to Tweet, X Spaces Unaffected
The global outage reportedly began around 12 AM EST on Thursday. X and X Pro users who logged in to their accounts were greeted with “Welcome to your timeline” and “Waiting for posts” messages, respectively. But, they could not view any posts on their timeline.
Some users said they could see ads, and others said they were able to get on to Spaces to discuss the outage with other people.
How to Access X/Twitter During an Outage
This incident caused significant alarm among users, with many fearing their account was hacked. Since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company, the billionaire has reiterated the importance of the X and regularly refers to it as a “digital public square.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Twitter has suffered an outage this year. The previous two occurred in July and March. Since many users rely on the X to communicate with friends and stay up-to-date with important events, it is necessary to have a backup plan lined up in case of similar incidents. This is especially true for journalists and activists who work in countries with strict censorship laws.
One of the best ways to access online platforms that aren’t working in your country or region is by using a VPN. A VPN tricks websites and apps into thinking you’re in a different location. So, if you connect to a VPN server in a country where an online service isn’t accessible, you can bypass any restrictions or technical issues blocking people in your country. We recommend using a VPN with great speeds and a vast server network, like Surfshark.
During the recent Twitter outage, many users headed to alternative platforms like Facebook and Instagram Threads to share their grievances. Threads finally launched in Europe this month. But it’s still not available in many countries. If Threads isn’t available where you live, read our guide to accessing Instagram Threads from anywhere.
