WASHINGTON - Gergasi enjin carian Internet, Google memohon maaf kelmarin selepas masalah teknikal menyebabkan berjuta-juta orang tidak dapat menggunakan perkhidmatannya termasuk Mel Google dan Berita Google.

Gangguan sejam itu tidak terhad kepada pengguna Internet di Amerika Syarikat (AS) malah kebanyakan negara lain turut menghadapi masalah sama.

Perkhidmatan lain yang terjejas ialah Peta Google dan laman web perkongsian video, YouTube.

Pelbagai aduan dan komen orang ramai mengenai gangguan perkhidmatan syarikat yang menguasai lebih 60 peratus pasaran enjin carian di AS itu disiarkan di laman blog Twitter.

Di beberapa tempat, orang ramai tidak dapat menggunakan laman web Google manakala enjin carian itu amat perlahan di beberapa kawasan lain.

Kenyataan syarikat itu menyatakan gangguan berlaku apabila salah satu sistem Google mengalami masalah menyebabkan banyak laluan web dilencongkan ke laluan Asia sekali gus mencetuskan kesesakan.

"Kesannya, kira-kira 14 peratus pengguna kami mengalami perkhidmatan yang perlahan atau gangguan penuh," kata kenyataan Google.

"Selama ini, kami bekerja keras bagi memastikan perkhidmatan yang disediakan berjalan dengan pantas dan boleh digunakan pada bila-bila masa. Gangguan seperti itu memalukan kami.

"Kami memohon maaf dan anda mendapat jaminan bahawa kami akan bekerja dengan lebih keras bagi memastikan masalah serupa tidak akan berlaku," tambahnya.

Syarikat enjin carian yang beribu pejabat di California, AS itu menyatakan, gangguan berlaku kira-kira pukul 9.48 malam waktu Malaysia dan berakhir sejam kemudian. - AFP

GOOGLE Inc has launched Google Maps Malaysia (http://maps.google.com.my), a new search platform that enables users to find local geographic information on their personal computers and mobile phones.

These include online maps, satellite imagery, driving directions, addresses and business listings, Google said in a statement today.

Google's Southern Asia product manager Andrew McGlinchey said Google Maps Malaysia was an exciting step forward in helping Malaysian users quickly and easily find the local geographic information.

"Google's dynamic and collaborative geographic platform allows consumers to create personal maps and enables businesses to connect with customers through virtual maps," he said.

Users can search for local businesses and points of interest, check out what events or movies are going on nearby, advise visiting friends and tourists on local attractions, research the locations or properties to buy or rent, and even locate dining, shopping or nightlife options, Google said.

Google's Southeast Asia head of marketing Derek Callow said Google Maps Malaysia enabled local users, businesses and developers to contribute and share their information.

"This is a great start and we're looking forward to working with many more Malaysian organisations to enhance the quality, features and usefulness of the local version of Google Maps," he said.