A Brazilian court has ordered Microsoft to restore a player's compromised Xbox account and pay approximately $400 USD in damages. The ruling follows Microsoft's customer service response, which suggested the player simply repurchase their games after their account was hacked despite having two-factor authentication enabled.
The player, known online as Ordo_Liberal, reported on Reddit that their account security information was altered after it was compromised. Microsoft's customer service reportedly deemed the account unrecoverable, leading the user to seek assistance from PROCON, Brazil's consumer protection agency.
Utilizing evidence such as emails and support tickets, the court determined that Ordo_Liberal was the original owner of the account and ruled that Microsoft must restore access within 15 days. The company was also ordered to pay 2000 Brazilian Reals (approximately $400 USD) in damages.
While this particular case is unlikely to set a broad legal precedent, it highlights Brazil's strong consumer protection laws. The PROCON system in Brazil reportedly makes it accessible for individuals to pursue small-claims damages without requiring court costs or legal representation. In contrast, legal systems in some other regions are often seen as more favorable to corporate interests, potentially making similar outcomes harder to achieve elsewhere.
Microsoft reportedly assigned 12 lawyers to defend their position in this case. The company has not yet issued a public statement regarding the verdict. The incident underscores the evolving landscape of digital ownership, where account security and access to purchased digital games and software licenses can have significant consequences for consumers.