CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, recently faced a global IT debacle caused by a flaw in its test software. This glitch led to millions of Windows computers experiencing the “blue screen of death,” disrupting services worldwide, including airlines, banks, and hospitals. The incident has cost Fortune 500 companies billions of dollars and left countless travelers stranded.

In response, CrowdStrike sent $10 Uber Eats gift cards to its contractors, thanking them for their hard work amid the fallout. The email, addressed to “CrowdStrike partners,” included a promo code for Uber Eats. However, many recipients reported that the codes were deactivated shortly after being issued. CrowdStrike clarified that the gift cards were intended for contractors, not customers, and were flagged by Uber as fraudulent due to high usage rates.

The company’s CEO, George Kurtz, issued a public apology, acknowledging the severe impact of the outage. He assured that CrowdStrike is revising its update processes to prevent future issues. The incident highlights the critical importance of rigorous software testing and the far-reaching consequences of IT failures.

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure compliance with passenger protection laws following the outage. This investigation underscores the significant impact on airline operations and passenger rights.