Recently, a claim has gone viral on social media stating that on 16th January 2025, the entire world’s internet servers will crash. Along with this claim, a cartoon video is being shared, showing internet servers going down during Donald Trump’s oath-taking ceremony and a shark cutting an underwater internet cable.
Source: Navbharat Times
However, questions are being raised about the authenticity of this claim. Currently, there is no official information or credible source confirming this. Hence, it is likely that this claim is just a rumor.
Internet server crashes have happened before, such as in July 2024, when Microsoft’s servers went down, disrupting global services on a large scale.
Source: ABP News
But as of now, there is no evidence to suggest a global internet crash on 16th January 2025.
Therefore, it is crucial to verify such claims from official sources before believing them.
Historical Context of Server Crashes
Although the global crash scenario appears exaggerated, server outages on a large scale have occurred in the past, demonstrating the fragility of some aspects of internet infrastructure:
July 2024: Microsoft Server Outage
A significant disruption impacted Microsoft’s cloud services, including platforms like Azure, Teams, and Office 365.
The outage affected millions of users worldwide, showcasing the cascading effect a server issue can have on global operations.
Previous Notable Incidents
Amazon Web Services (AWS) outages have disrupted numerous websites and apps globally.
Google and Facebook have also faced downtime, affecting billions of users for several hours.
Why a Global Crash is Unlikely
Decentralized Infrastructure
The internet operates through a decentralized network of servers spread across the globe. A failure of a single server or even a group of servers cannot lead to a complete internet blackout.
Backup Systems and Redundancy
Large internet companies and service providers maintain backup systems and redundancy measures to ensure uninterrupted service, even during outages.
Underwater Cables
While underwater cables are critical for international data transfer, they are highly secured and monitored. Cutting a single cable might disrupt specific regions but not the entire world.
Conclusion: Stay Informed, Avoid Panic
This claim about a global internet crash appears to be a fabricated rumor with no credible basis. While internet outages are possible on a smaller scale, the probability of a worldwide crash is extremely low.
Action Points:
Always rely on verified information from official sources.
Be cautious of viral content that lacks evidence.
Avoid spreading unverified claims to prevent unnecessary panic.
