Instagram Outage Sparks Frenzy Amid High Demand for Diddy Case Updates

Instagram Outage Sparks Frustration Amid Diddy Verdict Frenzy
By Stacy Liberatore for DailyMail.com | Updated: 17:37 BST, 2 July 2025

Instagram crashed for thousands of U.S. users Wednesday afternoon, thwarting efforts to access updates on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ high-profile trial verdict. The outage began around 1 p.m. ET, with over 16,000 reports flooding Downdetector, a platform tracking online disruptions.

Outage Details and User Reactions

The Meta-owned app experienced login failures and frozen news feeds, leaving many unable to engage with content. Approximately 68% of users reported app malfunctions, 26% encountered feed issues, and 6% struggled to access their accounts. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta were among the hardest hit.

Frustration peaked as users linked the outage to the timing of Diddy’s trial conclusion. “Diddy found not guilty for the Rico charges and Instagram wants to go down,” one user tweeted. Another wrote, “What a coincidence…the verdict came in, and Instagram goes down.”

Caption: Users faced login problems and unresponsive feeds during the outage.

Diddy’s Trial Outcome

Combs, 55, was acquitted of the most severe charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. However, he was convicted on two counts of “transportation to engage in prostitution” related to ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another woman, “Jane,” who testified under a pseudonym.

The rapper showed visible relief upon hearing the verdict, mouthing “I’m going home” to his family. He faces up to 20 years in prison but remains free on a $1 million bond pending sentencing.

Caption: Diddy in court after the verdict; he was cleared of five major charges.

The Impact of Instagram’s Downtime

With half of Americans relying on Instagram for news, the outage disrupted real-time updates on the trial. Downdetector’s live map highlighted widespread issues across the U.S., underscoring the platform’s role in breaking news dissemination.

Meta has not yet addressed the cause of the outage. As services gradually resumed, users returned to debates over the trial’s outcome, highlighting the intersection of social media and current events.

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