CrowdStrike Apologizes for IT Outage with $10 Uber Eats Gift Cards to Partners

CrowdStrike recently sent $10 UberEats gift cards to its partners as a gesture of apology following a significant global IT outage that occurred last week. The company expressed gratitude for the extra effort put in by its partners in managing the aftermath of the crash.

Background of the Apology

After the IT outage, social media users began sharing screenshots of the gift cards and a corresponding email from CrowdStrike online. However, some users reported issues while trying to redeem the credit, as Uber flagged the gift cards as fraudulent due to high usage rates.

Recipient of the Gift Cards

CrowdStrike clarified that the gift cards were specifically sent to partners enrolled in the Accelerate Program, which involves selling and managing CrowdStrike services for customers. The company emphasized that the vouchers were not distributed to customers or clients directly but to partners assisting during the crisis.

Details of the Apology

The email accompanying the Uber Eats voucher was signed by Daniel Bernard, the chief business officer at CrowdStrike. In the email, Bernard acknowledged the additional workload resulting from the July 19 incident and expressed gratitude and apologies for the inconvenience caused.

The message included technical updates on the company's cloud services and provided a QR code for Uber Eats to enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee or late-night snack as a token of appreciation.

Challenges Faced by Recipients

Several recipients reported issues with redeeming the gift cards, with Uber discontinuing the vouchers shortly after they were initially provided. However, some users later received a $10 credit from CrowdStrike directly, enabling them to successfully redeem the voucher.

Reddit users and other online posters shared similar experiences of struggling to use the gift cards, highlighting the frustration faced by many recipients.

Impact of the IT Outage

The global IT outage on Friday had severe repercussions, leading to flight delays, TV network disruptions, and the cancellation of medical procedures worldwide. CrowdStrike attributed the outage to a "defect" in a Windows update.

Despite the significant economic impact of the outage, CrowdStrike is only obligated to refund subscription fees to affected customers, according to cybersecurity experts.

The incident serves as a reminder of the critical role cybersecurity plays in today's digital landscape and emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

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By: esnodgrass@businessinsider.com (Erin Snodgrass,Noah Sheidlower)
Title: CrowdStrike Apologizes for IT Outage with $10 Uber Eats Gift Cards to Partners
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/crowdstrike-sends-partners-uber-eats-gift-cards-after-mass-outage-2024-7
Published Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2024 23:10:55 +0000