Facebook Down for Millions; Company Says It’s Not a ‘DDoS Attack’

Facebook responded to speculation that it was hacked on March 13 as the social media giant grappled with a website outage affecting millions of people across the world and in the United States.

“We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps,” it tweeted about two hours into the outage.

Facebook-owned Instagram and WhatsApp were also down for many.

We’re aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps. We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

— Facebook (@facebook) March 13, 2019

“We’re working to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” said the firm.

It later added: “We’re focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack.”

However, Facebook didn’t elaborate on why its websites or apps were down.

We’re focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack.

— Facebook (@facebook) March 13, 2019

According to Downdetector.com and related websites, Facebook appeared to be down for many. In the comments section, people across the United States said the site was down for them.

“I’ve never seen it down this long. Unreal,” wrote one person.

Some users said they couldn’t log into the website, some said they couldn’t post, some said they could sometimes post, and some said they could still “like” posts.

“Unable to comment on anything. Can’t upload photos. But can post,” wrote one person.

A number of people went on Twitter, which isn’t owned by Facebook, to express their frustration.

Hashtags #FacebookDown and #InstagramDown were the top spots in Twitter’s trending section for most of the day.

Time to fire up this bad boy.
…..
…..
DAMNIT! #facebookdown pic.twitter.com/as0HYWV4QC

— Erick [DJ NoirTech] (@NoirTech) March 13, 2019

#insagramdown and #facebookdown refugees arriving on Twitter today. It’s not much of a life, but at least it’s living. pic.twitter.com/w2Cl2Z9K0S

— not a bot, just a lurker (@wuiejnvnq) March 13, 2019

#FacebookDown
Today we will celebrate No Facebook Day!! pic.twitter.com/iD2AYELAee

— How Football Saved Humans – Great Book to Read (@HowHumans) March 13, 2019

Me rn because Facebook and Instagram is down😭😂 #FacebookDown pic.twitter.com/ZJvhXQFEdp

— lounique__ (@Masterlou103) March 13, 2019

#FacebookDown meanwhile on the twitter login page.. pic.twitter.com/UW460MOwFG

— bryan escamilla (@trainspotter_33) March 13, 2019

Facebook AND Instagram are down…

MySpace, it’s your chance to make a comeback!#FacebookDown pic.twitter.com/ILccg1PtC8

— Troy Osinoff (@yo) March 13, 2019

And almighty Facebook goes to Twitter to announce that Facebook is down 😂😂😂. Isn’t it interesting???#FacebookDown #SocialBuzz pic.twitter.com/Bzesgj3YE4

— Social Buzz (@SocialBuzzGH) March 13, 2019

Other details aren’t clear.