iCloud Private Relay Outage Impacts Users Globally
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay, a feature designed to protect paid iCloud users from online trackers, has been experiencing outages that are affecting users in major markets, including Europe, India, Japan, and the United States. The intermittent outages have resulted in restricted access to web services and apps that rely on internet connectivity.
According to TechCrunch, the downtime began on Thursday and has persisted since then. Users are reporting difficulties accessing the web through the Safari browser and encountering internet connectivity issues with installed apps. Apple’s System Status web page has confirmed the outage, stating that the service may be “slow or unavailable” for some users.
Launched in 2021 exclusively for iCloud+ subscribers, iCloud Private Relay is a valuable tool for protecting Apple users from online trackers. The service encrypts traffic passing through customer devices and utilizes two separate internet relays to prevent web trackers and internet service providers from profiling users based on their IP addresses, location, and browsing activity. This is made possible through the implementation of the Oblivious DNS-over-HTTPS protocol, a collaborative effort between Apple and Cloudflare that was introduced in 2020.
For those impacted by the ongoing iCloud Private Relay outage, there is a temporary solution available. Users can disable the service by navigating to Settings, then selecting Profile, iCloud, and finally Private Relay.
Despite the widespread impact and inconvenience caused by the outage, Apple has not provided any official comment on the matter. It is unclear how long the outage will persist or when a resolution can be expected. Users are advised to stay updated through Apple’s System Status web page for any developments regarding the issue.
In conclusion, the iCloud Private Relay outage has disrupted the online experience for Apple users in various countries. This incident highlights the vulnerability of internet services and the importance of having robust backup systems in place to minimize disruptions. As users continue to rely heavily on internet connectivity, it is crucial for companies like Apple to swiftly address such outages to ensure a seamless and secure online experience for their customers.
