Microsoft Account Locked (Compliance Lock)

Reported
Anonymous
2019-12-24T10:53:59+00:00

Hi,

When logging in to any Microsoft service I receive the message:

Your account has been locked

We’ve detected some activity that violates our Microsoft Services Agreement and have locked your account.

Unlocking your account

To unlock your account, you’ll need some additional assistance. Navigate to "aka.ms/compliancelock" and we’ll get you to the right place.

When I follow the link and fill out the form I received the reply that I violated the Code of Conduct and won't be able to access the services anymore. Any charges to my linked credit card will be stopped.

It does not tell me how I violated the Code of Conduct, nor does it tell me how to reinstate my account, while the form I filled out is called "account reinstatement". It also does not tell me how to retrieve my data.

The form states: "Your account has been suspended for suspicious activity, sending unsolicited emails, or for violating of Microsoft’s Terms of Use agreement, such as hosting photos, video or other content in violation of the Code of Conduct."

I'm pretty sure though I did not send SPAM or hosted/posted/shared inappropriate content. As for suspicious activity, I'm not sure what is included here, but I'm a basic user of the services.

What I would like to know is:

  1. How did I violate the CoC? In my opinion you can't just cut people off without providing a clear argument on what happened. As far as I can tell I did not violate any of the 10 commandments listed in the CoC.
  2. This account has existed for 23 years and never before has it been reviewed for any violation (that I know of). How can you just disable it and tell me I will never be able to use it again? (without providing any reason)
  3. How will I retrieve my data and access my purchased and payed for licenses?
    • Hotmail email conversations (not a priority as I don't use it for email and my last email sent was from March).
    • Onedrive data, including pictures of the early days of my children's lives. (I pay for additional storage)
    • Access to my Azure resources, connected to my MSDN subscription.
    • My (payed) Skype-In phone number I use for my business.
    • My MCP ID and transcript. This is my professional learning transcript but also counts towards my company's Microsoft Parnter Network competencies.
    • My digitally purchased XBOX games and apps (not a priority)

I've called and chatted with support, local and world-wide, for different services, but all are receiving the same answer from the CDOC team, as can be found under ticket number ***removed for privacy***, which I find unacceptable.

It's been 14 days now... Please help!

Regards,

Reinto_123

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-03-10T17:52:57+00:00

    I just got the same thing. I called xbox, and they said it's permanent for suspicious activity, and won't tell me what it is. When I look at purchases, nothing is amiss.  The sad part is that this is my daughter's gamertag, and her play time is her reward for good work school. (she's got some special needs).  When I called xbox about it, i was told too bad, nothing can be done, ever. Ever???! Now she can't buy the expansion/season in Destiny 2, and she's so very sad.

    I hope Regile Reb sees this. Really need Xbox to humanize this and resolve the account issue.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-03-06T18:54:29+00:00

    If you've recently done that sync thing with your phone to One Drive, that is why you got locked out. They are slowly locking out everybody who has done the sync thing with their phone. Whatever was on your phone got uploaded to OneDrive and caused you to be in violation of their TOS. Good luck getting your account back.

    Thanks for your response.  Not sure I fully understand your explanation.  Through my iphone I've been syncing my email, calendars, contacts, notes and OneDrive docs & photos for many years.  What has changed causing me to be in violation?

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-03T21:42:21+00:00

    Sorry I haven’t replied to many of your questions lately.  I’ve been way to busy with my business.  Like many of you that have trusted Microsoft with your data, I thought I was getting close to getting it back by calling Office 365 Customer Support (866-425-4816) every few days hoping to get someone who actually cares.  Most support reps tried to help.  Some promised they would get back to me and never did. The better reps would get me to a level 2 rep that seemed to make some progress.  I eventually was elevated to a level 4 rep who’s able to directly communicate with the Compliance Dept.  I received notification through him that I was Locked out due to a Serious Violation of their CoC policy and I’m not entitled to an explanation.  Seems like they have final decision on whether or not we ever get our data back.  I have no idea who they answer to, if anyone.

    Upon receiving the notice that they won’t consider giving me access to my account, I immediately filled out their “Notice of Dispute” form and mailed it to MS in Seattle.  The form is easy to complete and they can’t ignore it.  I stated my case, the damage to my reputation, my time and the major disruption to my life.  I’m also asking for monetary compensation.  They claim I will be contacted within 60 days.  This is how they would prefer to settle disputes.  If I don’t receive my data, an explanation and monetary compensation through this process, I will go through the Arbitration process or small claims court.  Microsoft doesn’t want these cases to get to arbitration, small claims court and most of all a Class Action Suit. 

    I’m of the opinion that they will have no other choice than to address my case.  I expect to be dealing with someone with some common sense and legal background who wants to keep Microsoft out of trouble.  I’m not planning on giving up and I hope all of you don’t either.  This needs to be exposed. 

    I suggest calling Customer Service till you get a final decision.  Keep pushing.  Don’t quit.

     Once you get a decision, file the Dispute Form buried in the “Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver” section of their Service Agreement.  Read this section and file the form https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RW5Dpq .  I highly recommend keeping excellent notes.  Document every phone conversation (date, time, who you spoke to).  Keep track of how much time you spend trying to recover your data and building your next account somewhere else.  Don’t be afraid to ask for damages.  I’ll provide an update after I’m contacted.  Good luck!

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-04-03T21:43:24+00:00

    Try calling Office 365 Customer Support 866-425-4816

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-03-11T04:43:11+00:00

    I am curious if anyone tried the Arbitration and dispute resolution option. It may not be possible to restore an account, but could this be a way to get the data stored in the cloud?

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