# Microsoft outage disrupts public services and workplaces across 74 countries

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/courts-spies-and-mps-how-the-microsoft-outage-has-been-felt-around-the-world/
- Published: 2026-11-13T17:34:58+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-14T05:32:46+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Technology (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqp9d58eldlro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Americas, Government, Politics, Technology, World

## Key points

- Microsoft services were disrupted in at least 74 countries.
- Governments, courts, hospitals and businesses reported problems.
- Microsoft said email queues were nearing normal levels.

## Summary

A global Microsoft outage disrupted services including Outlook, Teams and Copilot across at least 74 countries, affecting public bodies, businesses and other organisations. The incident showed how widely day-to-day work depends on Microsoft’s services, although Microsoft said connectivity was improving by early Friday afternoon.

In the US, House staff said the disruption halted work, courts warned of communication delays, and some city governments redirected residents to phone lines; emergency services in Austin remained operational. Canadian hospitals reported email and phone problems, though Unity Health Toronto said patient care was unaffected. Government systems and courts in Japan, Singapore and the Philippines were also affected, while some Japanese companies reportedly used fax machines to keep information flowing.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.