Users of Archive of Our Own (AO3) may have recently encountered error messages on Twitter that say “429” instead of the usual “Retry later.” This change in error message may be an indication of a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack on the platform. The error code 429 typically denotes that there have been too many requests made to the server, potentially overwhelming it and causing disruptions in service.
This development is concerning for AO3 users who rely on the platform for accessing and sharing fanfiction and other creative works. DDoS attacks can result in significant downtime and accessibility issues, impacting the overall user experience. It is important for the AO3 team to promptly address and mitigate the impact of this potential attack in order to ensure uninterrupted access for its user base.
As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for AO3 users to remain patient and vigilant while the platform works to resolve the issue. It is also advisable for users to consider implementing additional security measures to protect their personal data and online activity. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.