A gamer in Brazil has won a legal case against Microsoft after the company suspended their hacked Xbox account and demanded they repurchase all digital games. The court ruled that Microsoft must restore the account within 15 days and pay $400 in compensation for moral damages.
The case emerged after the user, known as Ordo_Liberal on Reddit, reported their Microsoft account had been compromised. Despite the account using two-factor authentication, customer support confirmed unauthorised access had taken place but said recovery was impossible. Instead, the account was permanently suspended, forcing the player to buy their games again.
According to the Reddit post, a Microsoft support agent stated that the fraud team could not assist with account recovery and that suspending the account was the only option to prevent further use. The player subsequently took legal action with the help of a public defender, which is available free of charge in Brazil.
Legal ruling forces Microsoft to reinstate account in 15 days
After approximately three months, the court sided with the player, ordering Microsoft to restore the account alongside all digital content. The decision included a requirement to pay $400 in damages. Microsoft was also warned that a daily fine would be levied if the company failed to comply within 15 days, with the potential for a criminal case should the order be ignored thereafter.
Ordo_Liberal detailed the legal process, noting that Microsoft employed a team of 12 lawyers to defend itself and submitted a 300-page defence document. The court ultimately rejected their arguments and mandated restitution.
Implications for Xbox users and account security
This ruling is relevant to Xbox players across regions, highlighting a consumer protection precedent in account security disputes, especially where digital purchases are involved. While this case occurred under Brazilian jurisdiction, it may influence how Microsoft handles compromised accounts and customer restitution elsewhere.
Microsoft recently announced a restructuring that includes layoffs within the Xbox division and changes to several studios. Though unrelated to the court case, this context reflects ongoing shifts within the company affecting its gaming operations.
The court’s judgement marks the latest confirmed position on the matter, with Microsoft required to comply within the specified legal timeframe.
