What Happened?
Elon Musk confirmed that X platform suffered a large-scale cyberattack on March 10, 2025, causing tens of thousands of users worldwide to be unable to access the platform normally.
Musk speculated that this attack might be related to Ukraine, but did not directly accuse the Ukrainian government of involvement. Since hackers often use IP spoofing techniques, it remains a significant challenge to accurately trace the actual source of the attack.
As the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has recently faced much dissatisfaction, leading some to believe that the attack on the X platform may be connected to his reforms in the government efficiency sector and his criticism of the SEC.
X Platform Faces Widespread Failures, Musk Blames “Massive Cyberattack”
Recently, X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk (formerly known as Twitter), became the target of another cyberattack. This large-scale attack caused many users to be unable to access the platform and attracted widespread attention.
Musk confirmed the incident during a media interview and revealed that the attack might be related to a large coordinated group or a nation-state.
On March 10, 2025, Elon Musk officially confirmed that his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) had suffered a large-scale cyberattack, resulting in a significant number of users being unable to access the platform normally.
According to DownDetector data, nearly 40,000 users reported platform failures that morning, with the issue only gradually being resolved by the afternoon.
Where Did the Attack Originate From? Musk Speculates It Might Be Related to Ukraine
In an interview with Fox Business, Musk pointed out that the attack originated from a “large, coordinated team and/or nation-state” and specifically mentioned that the IP addresses associated with the attack came from the Ukraine region.
He added that although he couldn’t confirm exactly what happened, the attack clearly had significant resource support, indicating a powerful force behind it.
Although Musk mentioned that the attack traffic came from the Ukraine region, he did not directly accuse the Ukrainian government of being involved. Since hackers often use IP address masking techniques to conceal the real origin of the attack, it remains difficult to confirm the actual background of the attack.
Based on past experience, hackers often use fake IP addresses to hide the attack’s origin, making it even more challenging to trace the true motivation behind the attack. Musk himself also stated that this attack might not have been carried out by a single individual or a small-scale hacker, but rather an organized attack, possibly involving state-level powers.
Musk Faces Challenges with His Other Ventures
Musk’s series of companies, including Tesla and X, have recently been in the spotlight for public controversies. In addition to this cyberattack, Musk has also faced challenges from different angles, including his relationship with the Trump administration and some reforms he has pushed forward at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Especially after Trump’s election, Musk was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with cutting government spending and improving efficiency.
However, the cost-saving measures promoted by DOGE have sparked controversy. His department claims to have saved over $105 billion of taxpayer funds and is actively investigating the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accusing the agency of wasting resources.
These events have strained Musk’s relationships with certain groups, making him the target of many protest activities and social movements.
Various social movements, including protests and vandalism at Tesla stores, have impacted his businesses. Notably, Tesla stores and vehicles have become focal points of discontent, with several instances of deliberate damage. According to NBC News, at least 10 incidents of destruction targeting Tesla stores and vehicles have occurred.
After Musk acquired the popular social media platform Twitter in 2022, he implemented drastic cuts and significant changes to X. He immediately fired executives, laid off 3,500 employees within days of the acquisition, which accounted for half of the platform’s workforce, and demanded that remaining employees return to the office full-time.
Although X’s services have resumed normal operation, this cyberattack has raised concerns about the security challenges Musk faces.
Musk’s business interests span across multiple fields, from electric vehicles to space exploration, social media, and government reform, with significant risks and responsibilities attached to them. Regarding the potential consequences of this attack, industry analysts believe that this may just be the tip of the iceberg. As technology becomes increasingly dependent on internet and data security, such incidents may become more frequent in the future.
Reference: Cointelegraph, CNN