Millions of digital users in India faced significant difficulties today. From the morning, users were unable to make payments through UPI (Unified Payments Interface), and by evening, WhatsApp also ceased functioning. Both services are integral to daily life, causing widespread disruption due to their simultaneous outage.
Technical Issues with UPI Disrupt Millions
The day began with widespread reports on social media of UPI payment failures. Some transactions were stuck pending, while others failed entirely.
The majority of complaints originated from major UPI platforms like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm. Small businesses reliant on digital payments, customers, delivery personnel, and transportation service providers were particularly affected. For those whose daily income and transactions depend entirely on the UPI system, this technological breakdown proved extremely stressful.
WhatsApp Down Following UPI Outage
While users were still grappling with the UPI issues, around 5:30 PM, WhatsApp also went down. Initially, users attributed the problem to network issues, but it soon became clear that a more significant problem was at play.
Users Unable to Send Group Messages
Following the WhatsApp outage, most users reported significant difficulties sending messages, especially in group chats. Messages failed to send ('ticks' did not appear), and some users experienced problems loading the app itself.
According to DownDetector data, 65% of users reported issues sending messages, while 25% were unable to access the app at all.
WhatsApp Outage Impacts Several Countries, Including India
While India has the largest WhatsApp user base, the problem was not limited to the country. Similar issues were reported in the US, UK, Brazil, and several European countries.
Users shared screenshots on Twitter (now X) and Instagram, reporting failed messages and app loading failures.
Meta Yet to Issue a Statement
WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, has yet to release an official statement regarding the outage. Consequently, the root cause remains unclear – whether it's a technical fault, server issue, or a problem resulting from an update.
Companies typically provide updates within hours of such incidents; however, the lack of explanation from Meta has further frustrated users.
If You're Experiencing Issues, Try This
If you are experiencing similar WhatsApp problems, you can report them on DownDetector. You can download the Ookla Speed Test app on your phone to access DownDetector.
This allows you not only to report the issue but also to see how many others are facing similar problems and which areas are most affected.
Growing Reliance on Technology
Today's events highlight our complete dependence on technology. From payments and messaging to communication – everything now relies on mobile apps.
UPI and WhatsApp have become our digital lifelines. Even short outages affect millions of lives.
