The Fear of a Digital Collapse in 2021
In the fall of 2021, rumors circulated about a potential “blackout” caused by a deadly cyberattack, a solar storm, or a systemic failure that could cripple communication networks, power supply, and other vital systems. This understanding led people to realize the importance of being “prepared” for such scenarios, especially after the 2020 experience with stockpiling essential goods at the start of lockdowns.
The Unprecedented Blackout of April 28, 2025
On Monday, April 28, 2025, at 12:33 PM, an unprecedented and sudden blackout left Spain without electrical power. After the initial minutes of rumors and speculation, the gravity of the situation became apparent.
While some communication services like WhatsApp and telephony remained functional in certain areas, allowing limited information exchange and alerts for some affected individuals; essential services such as traffic lights, railways, metros, elevators, and home appliances ceased to function. The weather was pleasant, which mitigated the psychological impact, although many people were stranded in stations until dawn and others walked long distances to return home.
Digital Fragility
Our digital society and economy once again demonstrated their extraordinary vulnerability. The blackout not only paralyzed numerous essential services but also highlighted our dependence on energy and digital interconnection for daily life. This dependency is not a temporary or passing phenomenon but a structural trend that will only intensify in the coming years.
We now understand “digital fragility,” a term referring to potential issues, failures, or errors in digitalization systems, as highlighted by organizations like the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). This concept should be distinguished from vulnerabilities related to cyberattacks and the lack of resilience, which refers to a system’s ability to adapt and overcome adverse situations.
More Resilient Energy Storage
The rise of renewable energy sources, often at a domestic level, has not been accompanied by a genuine culture of self-consumption. Although significant progress has been made in installing solar panels and small wind turbines, most still rely on the general electrical grid.
This implies that in emergency situations, decentralized generation does not serve as an effective backup. Promoting home and community energy storage systems should be a priority to increase resilience against energy crises.
Protection Against Hacks
Digital fragility can result from both accidental failures and deliberate attacks, such as cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.
On the other hand, a truly digitalized society must have alternative or “analog” backup mechanisms ready to activate in emergencies, along with established protocols and guidelines known by the population, supported by administrations, businesses, and educational institutions.
Lost Without Mobile Devices
We must recognize the exposure in this digital ecosystem: financial systems, payment services, alarm centers, emergency service connections, water supply, transportation, food and medicine logistics, among many others, and of course, wired and mobile communication networks—perhaps the backbone of this digital ecosystem.
Interconnection not only enhances efficiency and competitiveness but also multiplies cascading risks: a failure in one sector can trigger chain reactions affecting numerous vital areas.
We no longer need to print plane or train tickets; we use apps for public transportation, social security, traveling, and commuting. Even more recent is the MiDNI app for digital identity (DNI). If the communication network fails or the battery dies on our device, we are lost.
True Information: An Indispensable Support
The recent experience highlighted the undeniable value of analog radio as the only reliable information source during the blackout. With mobile networks and internet unavailable, many people could only learn about events through traditional broadcasts. This fact encourages reflection on preserving and strengthening analog technologies, often deemed obsolete but crucial in crisis situations.
In a hyperconnected society, the absence or manipulation of information exacerbates uncertainty, spreads misinformation, and generates distrust. Communication should be proactive, avoiding both downplaying the problem and alarmism, and facilitating coordinated and solidarity-based action by the population.
Otherwise, there’s a risk of regression in achieved advances, which could justify retreats due to fear of excessive digital dependence. In a transformative era as profound as ours, trust is a strategic resource.
Better Prepared Next Time
Schools, media, and public administrations play a crucial role in educating citizens on appropriate actions during contingencies. Regular drills, action guides, and early warning systems are part of an integral approach that should be developed urgently.
Because the recurrence of similar incidents is not a remote possibility but an increasingly likely scenario in our digital era. Learning from each crisis, strengthening response capabilities, and diversifying resilience sources is not an option—it’s the only path to ensure that digitalization remains a promise of progress rather than an existential risk.
This article was originally published in the Telos magazine by Fundación Telefónica.
