The recent worldwide epidemic of Windows crashes caused by a glitched-out software update left millions of users frustrated and businesses at a standstill. The company responsible for the problem, Crowdstrike, admitted fault and attempted to make amends by offering affected users a $10 UberEats gift voucher. However, this gesture turned out to be more of a disappointment than an apology, as some recipients found that their vouchers had been canceled before they could use them.
The Windows crashes caused chaos at major airports and hospitals around the world, disrupting procedures and bringing businesses to a halt. Even everyday activities like checking in for jury duty were delayed. In an email sent out by Crowdstrike, the company acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the glitch and offered their heartfelt thanks and apologies. They then provided instructions for redeeming the gift card online, stating that the next cup of coffee or late-night snack was on them.
Unfortunately, it seems that Crowdstrike’s attempt to apologize may have backfired. TechCrunch reported that when they tested one of the vouchers, they received a message saying that the card had been canceled by the issuing party and was no longer valid. This revelation has led to further scrutiny of Crowdstrike’s actions, with CEO George Kurtz pledging full transparency about what went wrong. The U.S. Congress has even called upon Kurtz to testify before a House committee.
Crowdstrike has explained that the problem occurred when an urgent “Rapid Response Content” update was being worked on, and the content validator failed to notice the destructive code before it was released. This raises questions about Crowdstrike’s quality control process and how such a massive hole in their system went unnoticed.
The $10 voucher was clearly meant as a small token gesture to appease affected partners and clients, but the canceled redemptions have cast doubt on the sincerity of Crowdstrike’s apology. It remains to be seen how the company will address this issue and regain the trust of those affected.
In the meantime, Mashable has reached out to Crowdstrike for further information or an explanation for the gift voucher cancellations. This article will be updated if any response is received.