Musk confirms massive cyberattack on X, implying coordinated effort
Musk confirms massive cyberattack on X, implying coordinated effort
On March 10, the X social media platform, owned by Elon Musk, experienced significant disruptions due to a “massive cyberattack.”
Users across the globe faced difficulties accessing the site, with reports of outages peaking at over 33,000, according to Downdetector. Musk confirmed the attack on his platform, stating that while they experience attacks regularly, this particular one involved substantial resources, possibly from a coordinated group or even a nation-state.
Despite the widespread disruption, user functionality was quickly restored, but Musk suggested that the attack was ongoing. The incident has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by large digital platforms, especially ones with high-profile leaders like Musk, whose other ventures, such as Tesla, have also been targets of protests and vandalism in the past.
Broader context: cybersecurity and political backdrop
This cyberattack comes at a time when Musk’s ventures, including his leadership role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have been embroiled in political controversy. DOGE, under Musk's leadership, has been touted as a success in reducing government waste, claiming savings of $105 billion across numerous initiatives. However, the platform has also become embroiled in a broader political and legal struggle, particularly involving the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the Trump administration, which Musk is closely aligned with, the SEC is expected to scale back regulations that Musk has criticized as inhibiting innovation.
The attacks on Musk’s interests, including Tesla’s stores and vehicles, are seen by some as part of a broader response to his political and business affiliations, particularly his involvement with the Trump administration. As tensions grow in both the tech and political spheres, the future of Musk’s ventures—and their security—remains uncertain.
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