A huge glitch at Facebook and Instagram has made usually hidden descriptions of images public, with users describing the text as “eerily accurate” and “creepy”.
The major outage hit those who use the apps across the globe and users were facing issues while sending or uploading media files. Those using WhatsApp were also affected.
On WhatsApp pictures could not be sent, while on Instagram and Facebook images are not loading and were instead replaced with an automated text description of what the photo may contain.
The descriptions included details like how many people are in the image, whether they are standing or sitting down, if it is night or day and even if the person pictured is bearded. Objects such as cameras and trees are also recognised by the technology.
It was not immediately clear what caused them to appear but users were left baffled by how accurate the automated descriptions of their uploaded images were as they were confronted with them for the first time.
Journalist Karine Vann wrote: “I'm creeped out. @facebook appears to be down right now. And instead of loading images/profile pics, it loaded the description the platform has made of the images.
“Eerily accurate. Did a computer log this?"
Noah Brown said: “Facebook is having issues with photos, so a text description of my profile picture comes up in the window. It describes me as 'alone, bearded' and 'with camera.'
“I would be angry, but I've never heard a more accurate description of my life in so few words. Well played, Facebook.”
Another baffled commenter wrote: “Wow, Facebook AI describes every photos on our Instagram accurately. I've never put any description on those photos.”
It appears the automated descriptions are indicator of just how sophisticated the processing technologies at these companies are. The Standard has approached Facebook and Instagram for an explanation.
The descriptions, which appeared in error, appeared to be a symptom of the outage which affected thousands of users across the world on Wednesday evening.
Facebook said some of its users globally were facing issues while sending media files over its social media platforms including WhatsApp and Instagram, and the social media company said it was working to fix the problem.
"During one of our routine maintenance operations, we triggered an issue that is making it difficult for some people to upload or send photos and videos," Facebook said. The company is still investigating the overall impact of the issue.
Facebook, which gets tens of millions of dollars from advertising revenue daily, declined to comment when asked whether it will refund businesses. In a similar incident in March, the company said it would consider refunding advertisers for lost exposure.
"The disruption appears to be related to an internal infrastructure or application issue," said ThousandEyes, a company that monitors internet traffic globally.
More than 14,000 users reported issues with Instagram, while more than 7,500 and 1,600 users complained about Facebook and WhatsApp, according outage tracking website Downdetector.com.
