Amazon.com's cloud-computing service was beset by "high error rates" on parts of its S3 data-storage system, disrupting many internet sites and mobile applications that rely on the company for their online presences.
"We are working hard at repairing S3, believe we understand root cause, and are working on implementing what we believe will remediate the issue," the company said on its website at 11:35 a.m. in Seattle. Amazon Web Services is also posting updates from its Twitter account.
The error rates are affecting customers with a service Amazon describes as a "simple storage solution" that can be used to house data, manage web applications and host software that customers can download via the Internet.
AWS is the company's fastest-growing and most profitable division, generating $3.5 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter. It's the biggest cloud-services provider, with data centers around the world that handle the computing power for many large companies, such as Netflix Inc. and Capital One Corp.
Expense-report service Expensify Inc. is among companies reporting they are affected by the issue.
Amazon shares are down a fraction of a percent to $845.49 at 3:17 p.m. in New York. Shares are up 12.9 percent this year.
