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Starlink’s Unintended Signals Threaten Astronomical Research, Study Finds

Starlink’s Unintended Signals Threaten Astronomical Research, Study Finds

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Astronomers have concerns over SpaceX’s Starlink connection, as the world is interlinked by the Starlink internet service, but there are big concerns about it. The satellite is interfering with the universe’s observation, and these fears have been confirmed by Curtin University. As per the analysis of 76 million images from the prototype station, it was found that the Starlink satellite emissions affect up to 30 percent images in some datasets. This kind of interference could change the outcome of the research that depends on that data.

Starlink’s Unintended Emissions Threaten Astronomical Research

As per NASA, it was found that from 1,806 Starlink satellites, there occurred 112,000 radio emissions. Further, it was observed that much of the interference is not deliberate. Some satellites detected emitting data in bands in which no signals are present at all. This includes 703 satellites that were identified at 150.8 MHz. This is meant to be protected for radio astronomy, as said by study lead Dylan Grigg.

Grigg observed that these unintended emissions might have come from onboard electronics. Astronomers can’t easily predict or filter these out as they are not part of the intentional signal. The International Telecommunication Union regulate the satellite emissions for protecting astronomical observations, current rules, and focuses on the intentional transmissions and does not address these unintended emissions, as said by Steven Tingay. Executive director of the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy.

Calls Grow for Policy Updates to Safeguard Radio Astronomy

The problem is not just the Starlink Satellite; the team found that it currently has the most expansive constellation, including around 7,000 satellites, which can be deployed during the survey. However, the satellite network can release non-deliberate transmissions too.

Tingay said that it is crucial to note that Starlink is not disturbing the current regulations, so there is nothing wrong with it. He further added that we hope this study adds support for the international efforts and updates the policies which control the impact of this technology on the radio astronomy that is currently going on.

 

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Waymo says robotaxi service has resumed after it made “temporary adjustments” in San Francisco amidst a power outage that appears to have affected around 7,000 PG&E customers in the city.

According to a screenshot posted on social media, Waymo told SF customers that service was “temporarily paused” and that “freeway routes are unavailable.”

When TechCrunch reached out to the Alphabet-owned company for comment, a spokesperson said in a statement, “We are making temporary adjustments to our service while we monitor local conditions. We know riders depend on us, and we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.”

Following the initial publication of this article, a Waymo spokesperson added that the company “decided to pause service for approx. one hour to assess the scale of the power outage affecting a large portion of San Francisco and coordinate with local officials.”

Power outages have affected Waymo service in the past, for example when a number of Waymo vehicles stalled on city streets during a blackout in December, and when a similar incident paralyzed traffic during a Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

As a result, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has called for tougher state regulations to “adequately address how autonomous vehicles operate during major incidents, planned or not.”

This post has been updated with additional comment from Waymo reflecting that service has resumed.

#Waymo #San #Francisco #service #resumed #onehour #pause #TechCrunchWaymo">Waymo says San Francisco service has resumed after one-hour pause | TechCrunch Waymo says robotaxi service has resumed after it made “temporary adjustments” in San Francisco amidst a power outage that appears to have affected around 7,000 PG&E customers in the city. According to a screenshot posted on social media, Waymo told SF customers that service was “temporarily paused” and that “freeway routes are unavailable.” When TechCrunch reached out to the Alphabet-owned company for comment, a spokesperson said in a statement, “We are making temporary adjustments to our service while we monitor local conditions. We know riders depend on us, and we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.” Following the initial publication of this article, a Waymo spokesperson added that the company “decided to pause service for approx. one hour to assess the scale of the power outage affecting a large portion of San Francisco and coordinate with local officials.” Power outages have affected Waymo service in the past, for example when a number of Waymo vehicles stalled on city streets during a blackout in December, and when a similar incident paralyzed traffic during a Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show on the Fourth of July. As a result, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has called for tougher state regulations to “adequately address how autonomous vehicles operate during major incidents, planned or not.” This post has been updated with additional comment from Waymo reflecting that service has resumed. #Waymo #San #Francisco #service #resumed #onehour #pause #TechCrunchWaymo

affected around 7,000 PG&E customers in the city.

According to a screenshot posted on social media, Waymo told SF customers that service was “temporarily paused” and that “freeway routes are unavailable.”

When TechCrunch reached out to the Alphabet-owned company for comment, a spokesperson said in a statement, “We are making temporary adjustments to our service while we monitor local conditions. We know riders depend on us, and we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.”

Following the initial publication of this article, a Waymo spokesperson added that the company “decided to pause service for approx. one hour to assess the scale of the power outage affecting a large portion of San Francisco and coordinate with local officials.”

Power outages have affected Waymo service in the past, for example when a number of Waymo vehicles stalled on city streets during a blackout in December, and when a similar incident paralyzed traffic during a Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

As a result, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has called for tougher state regulations to “adequately address how autonomous vehicles operate during major incidents, planned or not.”

This post has been updated with additional comment from Waymo reflecting that service has resumed.

#Waymo #San #Francisco #service #resumed #onehour #pause #TechCrunchWaymo">Waymo says San Francisco service has resumed after one-hour pause | TechCrunch

Waymo says robotaxi service has resumed after it made “temporary adjustments” in San Francisco amidst a power outage that appears to have affected around 7,000 PG&E customers in the city.

According to a screenshot posted on social media, Waymo told SF customers that service was “temporarily paused” and that “freeway routes are unavailable.”

When TechCrunch reached out to the Alphabet-owned company for comment, a spokesperson said in a statement, “We are making temporary adjustments to our service while we monitor local conditions. We know riders depend on us, and we will return to normal operations as soon as possible.”

Following the initial publication of this article, a Waymo spokesperson added that the company “decided to pause service for approx. one hour to assess the scale of the power outage affecting a large portion of San Francisco and coordinate with local officials.”

Power outages have affected Waymo service in the past, for example when a number of Waymo vehicles stalled on city streets during a blackout in December, and when a similar incident paralyzed traffic during a Golden Gate Bridge fireworks show on the Fourth of July.

As a result, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has called for tougher state regulations to “adequately address how autonomous vehicles operate during major incidents, planned or not.”

This post has been updated with additional comment from Waymo reflecting that service has resumed.

#Waymo #San #Francisco #service #resumed #onehour #pause #TechCrunchWaymo
announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment.

The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch.

What Does Pixel Care+ Offer?

Google Reopens Pixel Care+ for Older Pixel Phones With Condition Google has announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment. The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch. What Does Pixel Care+ Offer? Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at per month and goes up to per month, while two-year plans cost 9 to 9. There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between and . Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026. #Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel

Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at $8 per month and goes up to $15 per month, while two-year plans cost $159 to $279.

There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a $99 service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between $79 and $99. Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026.

#Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel">Google Reopens Pixel Care+ for Older Pixel Phones With Condition Google has announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment. The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch. What Does Pixel Care+ Offer? Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at per month and goes up to per month, while two-year plans cost 9 to 9. There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between and . Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026. #Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel

a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment.

The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch.

What Does Pixel Care+ Offer?

Google Reopens Pixel Care+ for Older Pixel Phones With Condition Google has announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment. The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch. What Does Pixel Care+ Offer? Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at per month and goes up to per month, while two-year plans cost 9 to 9. There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between and . Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026. #Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel

Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at $8 per month and goes up to $15 per month, while two-year plans cost $159 to $279.

There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a $99 service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between $79 and $99. Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026.

#Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel">Google Reopens Pixel Care+ for Older Pixel Phones With Condition

Google has announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment.

The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch.

What Does Pixel Care+ Offer?

Google Reopens Pixel Care+ for Older Pixel Phones With Condition Google has announced a limited-time opportunity for eligible Pixel users to purchase Pixel Care+ even after the usual enrollment period. The company normally allows users to add the protection plan within 60 days of buying a new Pixel phone. Google has reopened Pixel Care+ enrollment for a limited time, but only for US customers. Your phone must pass Google’s condition check before enrollment. The company requires that the phone work properly and not be physically damaged. You can sign up until August 2, 2026. Compatible phones are: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10a. The offer does not cover the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, older Pixel devices, or Pixel Watch. What Does Pixel Care+ Offer? Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at per month and goes up to per month, while two-year plans cost 9 to 9. There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between and . Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026. #Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel

Pixel Care+ offers protection beyond Google’s standard warranty. It covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and eligible repairs. Google does not charge for eligible front screen, back glass, or battery replacements. The plan also includes next-day replacement and priority support from Pixel experts. Users can add Loss and Theft Protection with a higher-tier plan. Google allows up to two loss-or-theft claims each year. Pricing starts at $8 per month and goes up to $15 per month, while two-year plans cost $159 to $279.

There are a few conditions you must meet before you can purchase Pixel Care+. Google requires your phone to pass a detailed condition inspection. The device cannot have cracked glass, liquid damage, charging issues, faulty buttons, or a swollen battery. Other accidental repairs still include a $99 service fee. Loss and Theft claims require a deductible between $79 and $99. Google does not provide this feature in New York. You must enroll before August 2, 2026.

#Google #Reopens #Pixel #Care #Older #Pixel #Phones #ConditionGoogle Pixel

Most of us sense we’re in an affordability crisis these days. If you’re like me, you’re helpless and complacent at the checkstand even when it feels like you’re being mugged. But being billed for billions—or even trillions—more than you owe on web hosting would snap anyone out of their affordability daze.

Amazon Web Services users around the world have noticed one such glitch:

Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a $1,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, by my math, the previous month’s bill was about $200.

According to the Guardian, a marketer named  Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U.K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to $7.8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment.

This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal.

An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.”

Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved.

#Soul #Left #Body #Amazon #Accidentally #Bills #Users #Billions #Times #Oweaffordability crisis,AWS,billing">‘My Soul Left My Body’: Amazon Accidentally Bills Users Billions of Times What They Owe Most of us sense we’re in an affordability crisis these days. If you’re like me, you’re helpless and complacent at the checkstand even when it feels like you’re being mugged. But being billed for billions—or even trillions—more than you owe on web hosting would snap anyone out of their affordability daze. Amazon Web Services users around the world have noticed one such glitch: I just saw .5 trillion on my AWS bill and my soul left my body https://t.co/EgfQKJTHVl pic.twitter.com/L0gXYbDio7 — Bharath (@Bharath_uwu) July 17, 2026 Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a ,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, by my math, the previous month’s bill was about 0. According to the Guardian, a marketer named  Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U.K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to .8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment. This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal. An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.” Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved. #Soul #Left #Body #Amazon #Accidentally #Bills #Users #Billions #Times #Oweaffordability crisis,AWS,billing

Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a $1,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, by my math, the previous month’s bill was about $200.

According to the Guardian, a marketer named  Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U.K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to $7.8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment.

This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal.

An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.”

Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved.

#Soul #Left #Body #Amazon #Accidentally #Bills #Users #Billions #Times #Oweaffordability crisis,AWS,billing">‘My Soul Left My Body’: Amazon Accidentally Bills Users Billions of Times What They Owe‘My Soul Left My Body’: Amazon Accidentally Bills Users Billions of Times What They Owe Most of us sense we’re in an affordability crisis these days. If you’re like me, you’re helpless and complacent at the checkstand even when it feels like you’re being mugged. But being billed for billions—or even trillions—more than you owe on web hosting would snap anyone out of their affordability daze. Amazon Web Services users around the world have noticed one such glitch: I just saw $1.5 trillion on my AWS bill and my soul left my body https://t.co/EgfQKJTHVl pic.twitter.com/L0gXYbDio7 — Bharath (@Bharath_uwu) July 17, 2026 Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a $1,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, by my math, the previous month’s bill was about $200. According to the Guardian, a marketer named  Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U.K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to $7.8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment. This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal. An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.” Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved. #Soul #Left #Body #Amazon #Accidentally #Bills #Users #Billions #Times #Oweaffordability crisis,AWS,billing

Most of us sense we’re in an affordability crisis these days. If you’re like me, you’re helpless and complacent at the checkstand even when it feels like you’re being mugged. But being billed for billions—or even trillions—more than you owe on web hosting would snap anyone out of their affordability daze.

Amazon Web Services users around the world have noticed one such glitch:

Bharath, an X user based in India, showed off what looks like a $1,499,659,180,107 cost statement and writes, “my soul left my body.” That statement says Bharath’s total is up by 744,728,201,771% this month, which means, by my math, the previous month’s bill was about $200.

According to the Guardian, a marketer named  Dan Harvey, working for an educational nonprofit in the U.K. said he “almost had a heart attack” after seeing a bill climb from 43 cents last month to $7.8 billion this month—and the month wasn’t even over. Harvey added to the Guardian that he had to get on the phone with tech support and “have a real dig around,” to get to the bottom of things. Amazon did not apparently return the Guardian’s request for comment.

This has been resolved, according to Amazon, which writes that on July 16 and 17, “customers received erroneous budget and cost anomaly detection alerts, and saw inflated estimated cost and usage data in the Billing and Cost Management Console and the Cost and Usage Reports.” The amounts are “inaccurate” and “did not affect customer invoices,” Amazon writes, but everything has apparently been restored to normal.

An update Saturday on the AWS service health dashboard lays out what happened. Apparently on July 16, a faulty “configuration change” in the AWS billing system was implemented. “This system relies on unit conversion data to calculate line item charges,” AWS writes, but the change “caused updates to the unit conversion data to fail, resulting in inflated line item costs, which propagated to the Billing and Cost Management console and triggered the budget and cost anomaly alerts.”

Logs on the health dashboard show AWS trying to roll out a solution for about two days before marking the issue as fully resolved.

#Soul #Left #Body #Amazon #Accidentally #Bills #Users #Billions #Times #Oweaffordability crisis,AWS,billing

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