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Leap seconds retired by 2027 to prevent computer system chaos

The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) has decided to retire leap seconds by May 20, 2027, moving the date up from 2035. This change aims to prevent potential disruptions to computer systems and critical infrastructure that struggle with the inconsistent addition of leap seconds to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Historically, leap seconds have caused issues for tech companies, and the BIPM is concerned that a negative leap second, which has never been implemented, could lead to significant chaos. AI

RANK_REASON The decision by a major international standards body to retire a long-standing timekeeping practice due to technological incompatibility is a significant industry-wide event. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.1]

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Leap seconds retired by 2027 to prevent computer system chaos

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The decision by a major international standards body to retire a long-standing timekeeping practice due to technological incompatibility is a significant industry-wide event. [lever_c_demoted from …
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Tom's Hardware TIER_1 English(EN) · Jowi Morales ·

    Leap seconds being retired next year to avoid wreaking havoc on computer systems

    The leap second will be replaced by a leap hour, which will take "several centuries" before it must be implemented.