Amazon geo restrictions suffer a "glitch"

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-01-2010, 12:44 PM

From Kindle Nation-- Amazon is busy trying to reassure customers that a programming "glitch" in their Kindle store systems was neither intentional, nor caused by hackers or internal attackers (as speculated by TeleRead members). They report the problem was caused by a power spike in their systems, and will soon be fixed.

The "glitch," as they called it, altered the geographical restrictions settings on the store servers, causing various U.S. states and territories to be listed as non-U.S. locations, and thereby shutting out users in those areas from buying Kindle books. Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, and Puerto Rico are the locations shut out by the problem. One TeleRead commenter stated that Moscow, Idaho, was also shut out by the errant server, but this has not been confirmed.

The problem was first reported to Amazon by residents of Puerto Rico. No one in Alaska, Arkansas or Alabama was heard from until their respective governors' offices were contacted by Amazon, informing them of the problem. As of 9AM EST, representatives from Arkansas have not returned Amazon's calls to confirm that they have seen evidence of the problem at their end.

Various blogs have speculated that this is a possible "self-correcting action" being initiated by Amazon's servers and systems, which were not designed to cope with the strange and byzantine geographical restrictions parameters Amazon has added to it. Some speculate that the servers and programs will ultimately have to be replaced by Amazon, as they will continue to attempt self-correction, eventually rendering them useless.

Predictably, many news services have contacted Apple, asking whether or not this problem would in any way impact the "e-book wars" that Apple and Amazon have recently been engaged in. An Apple spokesperson refused to reply to all questions, stating that they are not allowed to discuss an investigation in progress. When asked who was investigating, the spokesperson refused to speak further.

As of noon EST, the problem has not yet been fixed. It is unknown at this time whether Arkansas has noticed.

ardeegee · 04-01-2010, 01:08 PM

So-- nobody reads in Alaska, Arkansas or Alabama?

You becha!

poohbear_nc · 04-01-2010, 01:08 PM

Perhaps puzzled customers are attributing these glitches to April Fools Day - how else to respond to being told that today you are no longer a resident of the USA?
Coincidence? Or was the power spike caused by Amazon electrocuting the staff member that caused the glitch?

AlexBell · 04-02-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

From Kindle Nation--

The "glitch," as they called it, altered the geographical restrictions settings on the store servers, causing various U.S. states and territories to be listed as non-U.S. locations, and thereby shutting out users in those areas from buying Kindle books. Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, and Puerto Rico are the locations shut out by the problem. One TeleRead commenter stated that Moscow, Idaho, was also shut out by the errant server, but this has not been confirmed.

My heart bleeds for them.

Regards, Alex from Tasmania

Sweetpea · 04-02-2010, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Perhaps puzzled customers are attributing these glitches to April Fools Day - how else to respond to being told that today you are no longer a resident of the USA?
Coincidence? Or was the power spike caused by Amazon electrocuting the staff member that caused the glitch?

every single news item is suspect on april 1st...

lene1949 · 04-02-2010, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

My heart bleeds for them.

Regards, Alex from Tasmania

Oh.. yes... mine, too...

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-02-2010, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

every single news item is suspect on april 1st...

Why would you say that?...

Sweetpea · 04-04-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Why would you say that?...

Ok, every single news item is always suspect

04-01-2010, 12:44 PM	#1
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Amazon geo restrictions suffer a "glitch" From Kindle Nation-- Amazon is busy trying to reassure customers that a programming "glitch" in their Kindle store systems was neither intentional, nor caused by hackers or internal attackers (as speculated by TeleRead members). They report the problem was caused by a power spike in their systems, and will soon be fixed. The "glitch," as they called it, altered the geographical restrictions settings on the store servers, causing various U.S. states and territories to be listed as non-U.S. locations, and thereby shutting out users in those areas from buying Kindle books. Alaska, Arkansas, Alabama, and Puerto Rico are the locations shut out by the problem. One TeleRead commenter stated that Moscow, Idaho, was also shut out by the errant server, but this has not been confirmed. The problem was first reported to Amazon by residents of Puerto Rico. No one in Alaska, Arkansas or Alabama was heard from until their respective governors' offices were contacted by Amazon, informing them of the problem. As of 9AM EST, representatives from Arkansas have not returned Amazon's calls to confirm that they have seen evidence of the problem at their end. Various blogs have speculated that this is a possible "self-correcting action" being initiated by Amazon's servers and systems, which were not designed to cope with the strange and byzantine geographical restrictions parameters Amazon has added to it. Some speculate that the servers and programs will ultimately have to be replaced by Amazon, as they will continue to attempt self-correction, eventually rendering them useless. Predictably, many news services have contacted Apple, asking whether or not this problem would in any way impact the "e-book wars" that Apple and Amazon have recently been engaged in. An Apple spokesperson refused to reply to all questions, stating that they are not allowed to discuss an investigation in progress. When asked who was investigating, the spokesperson refused to speak further. As of noon EST, the problem has not yet been fixed. It is unknown at this time whether Arkansas has noticed. Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 04-01-2010 at 12:46 PM.

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04-01-2010, 01:08 PM	#2
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	So-- nobody reads in Alaska, Arkansas or Alabama? You becha!

04-01-2010, 01:08 PM	#3
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,795 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Perhaps puzzled customers are attributing these glitches to April Fools Day - how else to respond to being told that today you are no longer a resident of the USA? Coincidence? Or was the power spike caused by Amazon electrocuting the staff member that caused the glitch?

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