Itch.io Offline Due to Phishing Report and AI Controversy

Itch.io Offline Due to Phishing Report

The indie game storefront Itch.io is currently experiencing downtime, a situation it attributes to a misleading phishing report. Although the servers remain operational, the website is inaccessible for most users as its domain points to incorrect IP addresses not owned by the platform.

Accusations Against Funko

In a post on X, Itch.io has implicated pop culture collectibles company Funko for these issues. The platform claims that Funko utilizes a "poorly constructed 'AI-powered' Brand Protection Software" known as Brand Shield, which generated a false phishing report leading to the temporary domain blockage.

Response from Itch.io

Despite the disputed phishing page being taken down, Itch.io’s domain registrar, iwantmyname, has yet to re-enable the domain. The likely automated response from iwantmyname has left the indie game marketplace in limbo, as they await clarification and action from the domain registrar.

Temporary Workarounds

For users who are familiar with modifying their hosts file that links hostnames to IP addresses, a temporary solution exists. By using the IP address 45.33.107.166, users can access the platform while waiting for the domain to be restored. However, it is important to remove this entry once the main domain is back to ensure a seamless experience.

Expected Resolution

Itch.io is optimistic about resolving the issues swiftly, hoping to avoid the need for a new domain name altogether. The resolution of these problems is anticipated to happen within hours, leading to a return to normal operations.

Impact on Bluesky Integration

These domain issues come shortly after Itch.io implemented a feature allowing users to adopt their domain name for Bluesky accounts. For users who have invested $10 in the platform, this integration permits the use of their Itch.io profile URLs on Bluesky. Unfortunately, the current domain problems have resulted in "invalid handle" errors for those who transitioned to the custom Itch.io URLs, stalling this new functionality until the main domain is restored.

Conclusion

As the situation unfolds, Itch.io users remain hopeful that the marketplace can rectify domain issues swiftly and effectively. Keeping an eye on updates via social media channels or the website may be critical for users wishing to stay informed on the restoration of services on the platform.