The Global IT Outage: A Tech Glitch or a Democrat Plot?
On Friday, July 19, 2024, the world experienced a major tech meltdown, with airlines, emergency services, shipping companies, banks, and television broadcasters facing widespread disruptions. This global IT outage caused chaos and raised anxieties as essential systems went offline. While the culprit was quickly identified as a code deployment issue by cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike, the internet, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), churned with conspiracy theories, blaming the outage on Democrats, particularly Barack Obama.
A Popular Conspiracy Theory: Obama’s Revenge?
The most popular theory, pushed by figures like far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, alleged that the outage was a deliberate act of sabotage against Donald Trump. Loomer, a vocal supporter of Trump, pointed to the fact that CrowdStrike’s president and chief security officer previously held positions in the Obama-Biden administration, suggesting a nefarious connection. She claimed that the outage occurred "during President Trump’s nomination speech at the RNC Convention" and, therefore, was a deliberate attempt to undermine him.
However, this theory fell apart under scrutiny. The outage began in the early morning hours on Friday, long after Trump’s speech, and was initially a minor issue for a limited number of users. The worldwide ramifications developed gradually, contradicting the narrative of a targeted attack to disrupt Trump’s address.
Loomer, known for her history of spreading false information, doubled down on her conspiracy, claiming that "every crisis in our country somehow tied to @BarackObama." This echoes a pattern of blaming Obama for any perceived misfortune, regardless of evidence, perpetuated by Trump’s fervent supporters.
Illuminati Symbols and "Sam ‘Bankmen Freed’"
The online conspiracy-minded went even further, attributing the outage to even more outlandish explanations. One account, @BGatesIsaPsycho, interpreted a newscaster’s hand gesture as an "Illuminati symbol." This belief, prevalent amongst some fringe groups, alleges that the Illuminati uses specific hand gestures to signal hidden agendas.
Another user, @prolotario1, compiled a bizarre cocktail of conspiracy theories, including references to Ukraine, Joe Biden, Sam "Bankmen Freed" (the founder of FTX crypto company), and, of course, Barack Obama. They claimed, without any proof, that the servers were located in Ukraine, thus suggesting the outage was part of election interference, and that CrowdStrike was a "Deep State" organization posing a "National Security threat."
The "Leave the World Behind" Fallacy
The conspiracy theories even extended to the Netflix film "Leave the World Behind." Accounts like @BGatesIsaPsycho highlighted the movie’s plot, which involves a cyber blackout plunging the world into chaos, and claimed that it was a premonition of the global IT outage.
This line of thought stems from a pre-existing belief, amplified by the recent AT&T outage in February 2024, that the movie is a coded message about planned disruptions. This, again, fuels the paranoid narrative that powerful individuals are orchestrating events behind the scenes.
The Unfounded Clinton Connection
The internet’s feverish imagination even conjured up a connection between the outage and Hillary Clinton, Trump’s 2016 election opponent. Some users, like Liz Crokin on X, claimed that CrowdStrike, which was hired by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to investigate alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, was responsible for the outage, seemingly due to a long-held distrust of the company by Trump’s supporters.
Reality Check: A Technical Glitch, Not a Conspiracy
While these conspiracy theories found traction online, the root of the outage was purely technical. CrowdStrike acknowledged the issue and released a fix, while Microsoft provided guidance on restoring Windows machines to a functional state. The blame rests solely on a code deployment error, a not uncommon occurrence in the complex world of IT.
However, the persistence of these fringe theories highlights a concerning trend – the relentless search for a sinister explanation for any misfortune, especially those affecting Trump. This tendency undermines the credibility of legitimate reporting and fuels the spread of misinformation.
The Danger of Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories often thrive in a climate of distrust and polarization. In a highly charged political landscape, any event, regardless of how mundane, can be twisted to fit an existing narrative. These theories, even if absurd, are not harmless. They breed fear and distrust, create divisions, and undermine our ability to engage in reasoned discourse.
The global IT outage serves as a reminder that critical thinking and responsible information sourcing are crucial. While the internet offers a wealth of knowledge, it also provides a platform for misinformation and disinformation. It is our responsibility to critically evaluate information and rely on credible sources to separate fact from fiction.
The persistent focus by Trump’s supporters on Obama as a villain underscores the dangers of unchecked conspiracy theories. In the absence of evidence, these theories become a weapon wielded against perceived opponents, further deepening the chasm of division in our society.
