A sweeping internet outage has disrupted websites, apps, and online services globally just as the UK gears up for a new working week.
The root of the problem appears to lie with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which confirmed technical difficulties today, Monday, October 20.
AWS Confirms System-Wide Errors
Shortly before 9:00 a.m. BST, AWS issued a statement acknowledging increases in error rates and latency across multiple services in its US-EAST-1 region.
The company warned that support systems (including case submission via its Support Centre and API) may also be affected.
AWS says it is working to contain and resolve the issue and promised to issue further updates within 45 minutes or sooner if new information emerges.
Because AWS provides the cloud infrastructure and APIs for countless major websites and apps around the world, its problems cause a ripple effect, disrupting services just as the business day begins in the UK, The Star reports.
Which Financial Services Are Impacted?
In the UK, both traditional banks and digital financial platforms have reported disruptions.
Customers trying to log into accounts or carry out transactions have faced errors or delays. Among the institutions reporting issues are:
- Bank of Scotland
- Lloyds Bank
- Halifax
Because many financial services rely on AWS infrastructure, users may temporarily find themselves unable to access online banking, payment apps, or account details.
Will This Affect Government Payments or Benefits?
One major concern among users is whether this outage will interfere with crucial payments, such as benefits or tax credits paid by HMRC.
While there's no confirmed indication that government payments are being delayed, the dependence of many public systems on cloud infrastructure means delays or temporary errors cannot be ruled out.
What You Can Do During the Outage
- Try offline banking — use ATMs or call your bank branch directly
- Delay non-urgent transactions until the outage is resolved
- Avoid repeated login attempts or refreshes, which might exacerbate latency
- Monitor official communications from your bank or service provider for updates
Why AWS Outages Have Wide Reach
AWS operates as a backbone for much of the internet, hosting servers, APIs, and cloud services for companies large and small.
When a major AWS region experiences failure, it can simultaneously affect websites, mobile apps, payment gateways, streaming services, and more.
AWS engineers are actively investigating the root cause and applying mitigation steps.
The company has pledged to keep affected clients and the public updated as it uncovers more information.
As we await further developments, users and businesses alike are reminded of how deeply intertwined modern digital services are with cloud infrastructure, and how vulnerable our workflows can become when that infrastructure falters.