What is the 'internet blackout' of September 30, 2021?

This Thursday, September 30, a kind of internet blackout is expected to occur that would prevent access to the web from millions of electronic devices.

This September 30 there will be an "internet blackout" in various devices, which will not be able to connect to the network.

Those affected by this phenomenon will be video game consoles, computers, smart televisions, cell phones and all kinds of devices that can connect to the internet. Here we explain what it is about.

Planned obsolescence?

This blackout will happen due to the expiration of an authentication certificate necessary to validate the connection between the device and the server. That is, devices that are not updated will be obsolete for the internet connection. Let's Encrypt and HTTPSIdentTrust DST Root CA X3 certificates, the root of the problem.

The security certificate in question is the Let's Encrypt DST Root CA X3 CA; This is mainly found in old mobile devices, whether they are cell phones, video game consoles, tablets, televisions and others, which will lose the possibility of connecting to the internet after September 30.

What devices will be affected?

  • Cell phones and tablets with Android Gingerbread 2.3.6 or earlier.
  • Devices with iOS 9 or earlier versions.
  • Apple computers with macOS prior to 2016 or MacOs10.12.0.
  • PlayStation 3.
  • PlayStation with an operating system prior to version 5.0.
  • Nintendo 3DS.
  • BlackBerry devices with a version lower than 10.3.3.
  • Computers with Windows XP SP3 or older.

September 30 is the scheduled date

Internet connection problems for the aforementioned devices will appear as of September 30, unless the firmware (basic program that controls the electronic circuits of any device) of the equipment is updated.

 

Link: https://expansion.mx/tecnologia/2021/09/27/apagon-de-internet-30-septiembre-2021