8 Epic Software Fails: From Volkswagen To IRS
While Volkswagen's recent software scandal raises serious ethical concerns, it's certainly not the only remarkable software failure this year. Here's a rundown of what can happen when good software goes bad. As we head into fourth quarter 2015, we can't help but wonder what's next.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt69509c9116440be8/blt2f1c845c76ef4cc7/64cb4e69464ef5178a424fa3/intro.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Our use of technology in the business world -- and in everyday life -- is escalating at an unprecedented rate. Our reliance on software for communication, financial, and travel purposes is at the point where much of what we do is impossible without it. We've become so reliant on software and applications that we don't know what to do when they fail.
Software bugs and glitches have been around since the beginning of computing. What's changed is the scope of impact when things go wrong. When problems do arise due to new software, an updated system, a patch, or some other variation or conflict, the effects can be devastating. They can bring some companies and the customers who rely on them to a standstill.
Software problems arise for all sorts of reasons, including things as mundane as human error and as nefarious as malicious attacks and intentional deceit. The recent Volkswagen software scandal, in which the company was accused of using software on its diesel vehicles to trick emissions testing gear, appears to fall into the latter category.
[ What could possibly go wrong? Read 7 Data Center Disasters You'll Never See Coming. ]
In fact, the Volkswagen case -- which led to the resignation of the company's CEO and to his replacement by an automotive executive with a master's degree in computer science -- is the reason we decided to have a look at the year's epic software fails (so far).
Most cases of the eight we're highlighting here were unintentional, yet they caused a great deal of inconvenience to customers -- and gave the companies involved a public relations black eye. In a handful of cases, the companies involved allegedly manufactured the software fails -- and were caught deceiving customers and other stakeholders. These situations not only caused problems from a customer and PR standpoint, but also created serious legal problems.
Once you've reviewed our rogue's gallery of 2015's software failures to date, and the impact they had on the organizations and customers involved, let us know in the comments section below whether any of these affected you directly. Are there other industries you think are ripe for software catastrophe before the year is out?
How could we not start with this one? It's one of the most shocking news stories to come out of the auto industry in years. Volkswagen is accused of knowingly putting software into its diesel-powered vehicles that would detect when an emissions test was being performed -- and adjust engine the air/fuel mixtures and exhaust flows in order to pass inspection.
Once a test was complete, the systems adjustments would revert back to their previous status to provide the driver better performance, at the expense of worse emissions. VW is now in hot water for deceiving drivers -- and governments around the world that set emissions guidelines. The scandal effects an estimated 11 million Volkswagen vehicles worldwide.
The Internet of Things (IoT) offers us visions of how the Internet-connected world will improve our lives. Fiat Chrysler is one of many companies that have been including hardware and software onboard their vehicles to enable various IoT capabilities. The automaker ran into a major issue this summer after two security researchers discovered they could remotely hack into Chrysler's Uconnect onboard system and actually take over the automobile's steering, transmission, and braking systems. Their findings -- and the public outcry that ensued -- resulted in the recall of 1.4 million Fiat Chrysler vehicles.
We all hate delayed flights. But let's face it, in many cases they're due to factors such as weather that are beyond anyone's control. Sometimes delays result when a mechanic discovers an unsafe airplane component that should be swapped out. This process keeps us all safe. While we may not be thrilled by the delays, we'd certainly rather stay on the ground until it's safe to fly.
Not one to let a competitor like United Airlines get all the negative attention, American Airlines offered its own major software bug earlier in the year. This resulted in significant flight delays for passengers over the span of a 48-hour period. The root cause? It was reportedly due to a bug in an iPad app that pilots use to view flight plans. Maybe now the crews will grab a paper copy of the flight plan as a backup.
Ok, so if you can't drive, fly, or even communicate with friends, why not get your taxes done, right? Wrong. Right before the start of the 2015 tax season, a software error caused more than 800,000 healthcare.gov enrollees to receive tax forms that contained incorrect information. Since this information was to be used by citizens to determine what subsidies they were eligible for in completing their tax returns, the faux pas caused major consternation for many.
This, of course, came on the heels of the disastrous 2014 rollout of healthcare.gov, as well as unrelated breaches of the US Office of Personnel Management and the IRS. Your tax dollars at work.
-
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like