Krispy Kreme Offers Free Doughnuts to Ease Tech Troubles.
In light of recent issues caused by a software update from CrowdStrike, Krispy Kreme has announced a special offer to lift spirits. The company posted on Instagram, inviting customers to enjoy a free Original Glazed® Doughnut. The offer is valid from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on July 19, 2024, at participating U.S. locations, with no purchase necessary.
The announcement reads:
“Sweet-ware Update Available! Does technology have you down today? Our windows are working great and so is our Hot Light! Come on in and help yourself to a FREE Original Glazed® Doughnut from 5-7pm to add some sweetness to this sour day! Free Original Glazed® doughnut offer valid 5:00pm to 7:00pm 7/19/2024 only at participating U.S. Krispy Kreme shops and is subject to product availability. In shop or drive thru. Limit one per guest. No purchase necessary.”
This gesture follows a global tech outage on Friday caused by a problematic interaction between CrowdStrike’s software update and Microsoft Windows. The outage impacted various sectors, including airports, Social Security offices, and jail operations, affecting numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Experts, such as Munish Walther-Puri, have pointed out the dangers of relying heavily on a small number of cybersecurity providers. This incident has highlighted the vulnerability of global economies dependent on interconnected computer systems.
Anne Neuberger from the White House emphasized the importance of enhancing digital resilience and implementing policies to reduce the impact of such disruptions. Although CrowdStrike has released a fix, many affected systems still face significant recovery challenges.