[Update: it’s back] Is WhatsApp down worldwide? Here’s what we know

Update, Thursday 4 May, 12.10am: According to a tweet published by Reuters Tech citing a company spokesperson, “Whatsapp is aware of outage issue and working to fix it”.

UPDATE: Whatsapp is aware of outage issue and working to fix it – spokesman

— Reuters Tech News (@ReutersTech) May 3, 2017

Original article: Messaging service WhatsApp, used by more than a billion people worldwide, is down according to multiple users across the globe.

The outage, which occurred late Wednesday evening in Africa, is also being reported in Europe and South America, according to DownDetector. Notably, the site also suggests that users are unable to send and receive messages, connect to the service, or log in.

While WhatsApp does have a Twitter account, as well as a “Status” Twitter account for moments just like this, both haven’t been used since in over a year.

WhatsApp service has been restored. We are so sorry for the downtime…

— WhatsApp Status (@wa_status) February 22, 2014

Ironically, the last blog post published by the company, dated 20 February, was also titled “WhatsApp Status”…

WhatsApp was on Wednesday reported down by users in Europe, South America and Africa

Without a certain way of knowing why the service is experiencing issues, users took to Twitter themselves to voice their concerns. @WhatsApp became a trending mention in South Africa around 11pm Wednesday, with the hashtags #Whatsappdown, and the more locally-relevant #Whatsappdownsa also made appearances.

What happened to @WhatsApp??

— Brooke Crouch (@BrookieCx) May 3, 2017

Or, you know, posting memes.

@WhatsApp Me parto el culo jajaja pic.twitter.com/QIOywVfugA

— Daniel Patrón (@dpatrongomez) May 3, 2017

Even Apple’s iMessage got a plug from Twitter users.

iMessage users looking at whatsapp users like … #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/k9h0cGtNtR

— Riaz ❄️🇿🇦 (@riazbapoo) May 3, 2017

And speaking of alternative chat apps, remember Mxit?

MXit wouldn’t do us like this… 😔

— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) May 3, 2017

South African DJ Euphonik also stopped by Twitter to add his humour-filled commentary.

So I guess those “booty calls” are canceled then. 😂 #whatsappisdown

— Euphonik™♛ (@euphonik) May 3, 2017

No nudes tonight okes. SORRY ⛔️#whatsappisdown 😂

— Euphonik™♛ (@euphonik) May 3, 2017

Delayed or unsent WhatsApp messages were common themes on South African Twitter late Wednesday.

@memeburn whatsapp is down here in Brentwood park, Benoni South Africa. My last message was 22:21… #WhatsappDown #ThisSucks

— Ryko Breytenbach (@Hybrid351ss) May 3, 2017

#WhatsAppDown Party! See you guys on #facebookmessenger – story game is strong! ✊💪 #Stories

— Brett Magill (@BrettMagill) May 3, 2017

According to WhatsApp’s in-app System Status monitor, the “service is operating normally”.

While testing the service tonight, Memeburn staffers in South Africa tried sending text messages and media to one another. The messages don’t appear as sent or read but are instead marked with that ominous little clock icon.

So, yes, there’s clearly an unnamed gremlin in the system at present.

This isn’t the first time a Facebook-owned service has tanked this week either. Instagram Stories was rendered unusable for some on Monday, when they couldn’t upload snaps of their breakfast and dogs dressed in tuxedos to the service.

Is WhatsApp currently down in your area? Drop a comment below, or tweet us @Memeburn.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.