30 million German bank cards hit by 2010 bug
AROUND 30 million high-tech German bank cards could leave owners high and dry, bank associations warned on Tuesday as the feared Y2K computer bug cropped up 10 years later than expected.
The problem that hit cardholders trying to use cash machines or make payments throughout Germany and abroad stems from computer chips unable to recognise the year 2010, and could take up to a week to resolve, the DSGV savings and regional banking association said in a statement.
A global alert had gone out 10 years ago amid widespread fears of a similar problem, dubbed Y2K for the year 2000. More recent cards that contain a computer chip designed to provide extra security have been affected while older ones with just a magnetic strip on the back appear to work normally.
