Itch.io Offline Due to Bogus Phishing Report by Funko’s AI

Indie Game Storefront Itch.io Faces Accessibility Issues Due to False Phishing Report

The indie game marketplace Itch.io is currently offline, citing a bogus phishing report as the cause. Although the game store’s servers remain operational, users have been unable to access the website because its domain is pointing towards IP addresses not owned by Itch.io.

Blame on Funko and AI-powered Security Software

Itch.io has publicly attributed the problem to pop culture collectibles company Funko, stating they utilize "trash 'AI-powered' Brand Protection Software called Brand Shield." According to Itch.io, this software generated a spurious phishing report that resulted in their registrar disabling their domain.

Current Status and Workaround

Although the offending page has since been removed, the domain registrar, iwantmyname, has yet to restore the domain registration. Itch.io is currently awaiting a response from the registrar to resolve the issue. In the meantime, savvy users can access the site temporarily by editing their hosts file to point to the IP address 45.33.107.166. However, users should remember to remove this entry once the domain is fully restored.

Impact on Bluesky Connectivity

This incident occurs shortly after Itch.io implemented the feature allowing users to connect their account to Bluesky by using a custom URL with their Itch.io profile. Users who spent $10 on the platform can utilize their profile links on Bluesky, but the current domain outages have rendered those links invalid, leading to "invalid handle" errors.

Future Outlook

Itch.io is optimistic that the accessibility problems will be rectified within hours to avoid the necessity of deploying a new domain name. Their focus remains on quickly restoring user access and ensuring that the platform’s services remain uninterrupted.

Conclusion

The Itch.io situation highlights the implications of automated security systems and how they can mistakenly disrupt access to established platforms. As the indie game store navigates these challenges, users are encouraged to stay informed for further updates.

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