Last year was marked by a string of tech failures that left many wondering what went wrong. From Oracle’s embarrassing Java licensing scandal to the Internet Archive’s cyber attacks, 2024 was a year to remember for all the wrong reasons.
Oracle’s Java licensing debacle was just one of several high-profile missteps by the tech giant. In Sweden, the rollout of patient record software was so shoddy that users were forced to revert to manual systems. Oracle was also hit with massive nine-digit data privacy fines and had its HR system deemed “useless” after it contributed to the bankruptcy of Europe’s largest local authority.
The Internet Archive suffered a similar fate when cyber criminals attacked its servers, causing months of disruption to services relied upon by many. The attack even sparked a lawsuit from record labels Sony and Universal, who are seeking $600 million in punitive damages over copyright issues.
But the biggest tech disaster of 2024 has to be the global network outage that affected millions of users worldwide. Instagram lost 3.3 million connections, Crowdstrike’s 8 million users were left unreachable, and Facebook suffered an epic 11.1 million user outage.
Virtual and augmented reality also failed to impress in 2024. Apple’s Vision Pro goggles launched with a lot of hype but generated little buzz, and despite their high price point, they failed to deliver any killer apps or meaningful development.
Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, proved himself to be just as divisive as his predecessor by turning X into a platform for trolling and harassment rather than facilitating meaningful conversations. The move has left many users feeling uneasy about the platform’s future.
Microsoft’s attempt to introduce desktop AI with its Copilot PCs and Recall feature was met with widespread criticism over its intrusiveness and lack of boundaries. The company’s failure to understand these concerns only added to the public’s skepticism.
Finally, self-driving cars failed to deliver on their promise of autonomous transportation. DARPA’s Grand Challenge competition saw massive advances in sensors and AI, but ultimately yielded no major breakthroughs. Even Tesla and Waymo struggled to make progress.
As we look forward to 2025, it’s hard not to wonder what other tech disasters await us. One thing is certain: the future of technology will be shaped by both promise and pitfalls.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/01/opinion_column_tech_fails_2024