On Friday, March 28, 2025, the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, experienced significant technical issues, leaving many users unable to access the site or its app. Reports of outages began surfacing shortly after 2 p.m. ET, with users encountering error messages such as, "Something went wrong. Try reloading," when attempting to log in or view posts.
According to the outage tracking website Downdetector.com, over 53,000 complaints were filed by 2:46 p.m. ET, indicating that approximately 54% of users were struggling with the app, while a further 34% reported issues with the website. By shortly before 3 p.m., the number of complaints had risen to about 56,000, with the majority of reports coming from major cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, and Atlanta.
This incident marks the latest in a series of outages for X, which has faced technical difficulties multiple times in recent months. Notably, on March 10, 2025, the platform suffered rolling outages that Elon Musk attributed to a massive cyberattack against the site. Prior to that, in August 2024, 66% of users reported experiencing problems with the app and website, and in March 2024, a live event featuring Ron DeSantis was disrupted due to technical failures.
As users took to Downdetector to voice their frustrations, some reported seeing messages stating they were "not authorized to view posts." Others humorously speculated that the recent surge in Studio Ghibli memes might have been responsible for the crash. This lighthearted banter among users highlights the community's resilience in the face of technical challenges.
The rebranding of Twitter to X in July 2023 was part of Musk's broader vision for the platform, which he acquired in October 2022 for $44 billion. Since then, he has made sweeping changes, including laying off about 80% of the company's workforce. The official transition to X.com occurred in May 2024, marking a new chapter for the social media giant.
Despite these ongoing issues, X continues to compete with emerging platforms like Threads and Bluesky, which have gained traction among users seeking alternatives to Musk's vision for social media. As X navigates these challenges, the future of the platform remains uncertain.
In the UK, users also reported issues accessing X on the same day, with complaints beginning around 7 p.m. local time. By 7:18 p.m., tens of thousands had logged their grievances on Downdetector, with 53% of complaints related to the app and 45% concerning the website. The global reach of the outage underscores the widespread impact of technical failures in today’s interconnected digital landscape.
As the platform grapples with these technical difficulties, users are left wondering about the reliability of X. With the stakes high in the competitive social media landscape, the pressure is on Musk and his team to ensure that such outages become a thing of the past. The challenges faced by X serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing a major social media platform in an era where user engagement and satisfaction are paramount.
In the wake of this latest outage, many users have expressed concerns about the platform's stability and the impact of Musk's management style on its operational integrity. As the world's richest man, Musk has significant influence not only over X but also over other major companies like Tesla and SpaceX. His recent involvement in political discussions, including a cabinet meeting with former President Donald Trump, has sparked debate about the intersection of business and politics in the tech industry.
Looking ahead, the future of X may hinge on Musk's ability to address these technical issues while also navigating the complex landscape of public perception and competition. As users continue to seek reliable platforms for communication and social interaction, the pressure mounts on X to deliver a seamless experience.
In conclusion, the recent outages experienced by X highlight the challenges faced by social media platforms in maintaining reliability and user trust. As users navigate these technical difficulties, the broader implications for the platform and its leadership are becoming increasingly apparent.
