Microsoft Outage Shows Global Risks of Single-Tech Dependence

A global Microsoft outage disrupted schools, courts, governments, and businesses worldwide on Friday, highlighting the risks of relying on a single tech company for critical services. The company reported sustained improvements but has not identified the root cause. Microsoft hinted the issue stemmed from cascading server failures in multiple data centers, which overloaded remaining machines. The company ruled out a cyberattack. The outage affected email and communication systems, with recovery varying by region as Microsoft worked to restore service. The incident has renewed calls for countries to reduce dependence on US tech giants. Experts noted Microsoft's recent staff reductions and AI-driven code generation may have impacted its response, while officials in Europe are developing local alternatives to American productivity software.