**Ukraine’s Online Services Crash Due to Technical Failures**
On April 26, Ukraine’s state mobile application Diia and online services of several major companies were inaccessible due to technical failures. The media reported that the problems affected Nova Post, a large private delivery company; Oschadbank, a major public bank; Raiffeisen Bank; and contactless payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The issues with Diia prevented Ukrainians from accessing various government services, such as digitized versions of official documents like passports, driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, or tax IDs. The app also allowed users to register businesses or the birth of their children online, as well as process marriages.
**Metro Ticket Payment Also Affected**
According to Kyiv City Administration, contactless fare payment at metro turnstiles was temporarily unavailable due to a technical failure at Oschadbank. This meant that commuters had to pay for their tickets using other methods until the service was restored.
**Nova Post Blames Contractor, But Rules Out Hacker Attack**
Nova Post, the largest private delivery company in Ukraine, said that the problems were caused by its contractor and not a hacker attack. The company assured users that they expected all services to be restored by approximately 10:00 a.m.
**Government Explains Technical Failure**
The Digital Transformation Ministry explained that technical upgrades at one of the major data centers had caused the temporary failure of mobile applications, including Diia. However, the ministry noted that cooperation with several data centers in advance had been built to prevent such situations from affecting service availability. The team is currently working to restore services promptly.
**Context: Ukraine’s Vulnerability to Cyberattacks**
It’s worth noting that Ukrainian government websites and databases have suffered from cyberattacks throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion. In December, a massive Russian hacker attack on government databases containing sensitive personal information temporarily restricted access to some of them. This latest technical failure serves as a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to cyber threats.
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**Commentary**
The recent technical failures affecting Ukraine’s online services and contactless payments are concerning, especially given the country’s history with cyberattacks. While the causes of these issues may be attributed to technical upgrades or contractor errors, it highlights the need for more robust cybersecurity measures to protect against potential threats.
**Deeper Analysis**
This incident serves as a reminder that even in a rapidly digitizing world, governments and companies must invest in robust infrastructure and cybersecurity to prevent such failures from occurring. The fact that Ukraine has built cooperation with several data centers is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure service availability.
The vulnerability of Ukraine’s online services to cyberattacks also underscores the importance of investing in cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive personal information. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it’s crucial for governments and companies to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent such failures from happening again.
