Perplexity Perplexed: AWS Glitch Sends AI Offline in India

Image Source: TechnoSports Media Group

Perplexity AI faced a major outage in India on October 20, 2025, with users unable to access its website or app. CEO Arvind Srinivas confirmed the disruption was caused by an AWS infrastructure issue. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cloud-dependent platforms and the ripple effects of backend failures.

India’s AI-savvy user base was caught off guard as Perplexity AI went offline on Monday, October 20, 2025. The outage, which affected both the website and mobile app, was traced to a broader Amazon Web Services (AWS) disruption impacting multiple platforms globally. Downdetector recorded a sharp spike in complaints, confirming the scale of the issue.

Key developments and platform response:

CEO Arvind Srinivas addressed the outage on X (formerly Twitter)

He stated: “Perplexity is down right now. The root cause is an AWS issue. We’re working on resolving it.” His post reassured users that the team was actively engaged in recovery efforts.

AWS’s US-EAST-1 region was the epicenter of the disruption

This region supports a significant portion of global cloud traffic. The outage affected services like Snapchat, Canva, Reddit, and Robinhood alongside Perplexity AI.

India-specific impact was severe

Users across major metros reported complete service unavailability, with many expressing frustration over interrupted workflows and research tasks.

Cloud dependency under scrutiny

The incident reignited debates around single-cloud reliance. Experts suggest multi-cloud strategies and edge computing as potential safeguards against such outages.

Recovery timeline remains uncertain

While AWS has acknowledged the issue and initiated fixes, Perplexity’s full restoration in India may take time depending on backend stabilization.

Why it matters:

As AI tools become integral to daily productivity, their reliance on cloud infrastructure poses risks. Perplexity’s outage underscores the need for resilient architecture and transparent communication during tech disruptions. For Indian users, it’s a reminder that even cutting-edge platforms aren’t immune to backend bottlenecks.

Sources: Moneycontrol, CNBC TV18, India.com, Opentools.ai

Stay Ahead – Explore Now! The Rise of Developer-Led Innovation: A New Era of Breakthroughs