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.

0 comments No comments

222 answers

Sort by: Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2020-05-31T13:53:51+00:00

    Did u have to fill out the aka.ms/compliancelock if so how long do they take to reply

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-31T14:01:55+00:00

    I have filled it out 10 time and i have had 3 replies, in 2 months. 

    one asked me about mu skype... (i dont use it with that account) another asked if my accout was still there if i had miss spelt the email address. And the 3rd was like $&&$ you im not doing anything

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-06-01T18:27:53+00:00

    It's been a while since i've posted, and maybe i've made some progress.

    I did get a reply from Microsoft after submitting my Notice of Dispute to them where they said my account is locked and there is nothing they can do, but to feel free to ask them any questions. So I asked about a refund as my subscription automatically renewed after my account was locked, I asked for my files back, and to know why I was locked. They then replied saying they will no longer reply to me via email and they won't do anything for me.

    So I waited the 60 day period and filed a case for arbitration. It did cost me $200 to file, but Microsoft says in their MSA if you don't demand more than $75,000 they will reimburse you that fee. In addition, it looks like Microsoft has to pay the American Arbitration Association $2,800 when you file a case against them, and potentially more as well. So while many people may not be able to afford it, or wait the time this all takes, if enough people file for arbitration against them, they may actually do something as it's going to start costing them a little bit of money and more time to deal with all of these.

    I'll try to post when I find anything out as the arbitration continues.

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2020-06-02T02:02:09+00:00

    Hi, did you het your data off onedrive back? And how do i get hold of the American Arbitration Association

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2020-06-02T13:59:17+00:00

    I haven't gotten anything back yet. The arbitration process has just started, and it's going to be a while before it's resolved as it isn't a quick process.

    You have to follow the process as listed in the Microsoft Services Agreement, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement, it's under Binding Arbitration and Class Action Waiver (section 15).

    You need to follow the steps in section 15 paragraph b first.

    b. Mail a Notice of Dispute First. If you have a dispute and our customer service representatives can’t resolve it, send a Notice of Dispute by U.S. Mail to Microsoft Corporation, ATTN: CELA Arbitration, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, U.S.A. (or to your mobile phone carrier at its principal place of business in the United States marked ATTN: Legal Department). Tell us your name, address, how to contact you, what the problem is, and what you want. A form is available at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=245499. We’ll do the same if we have a dispute with you. After 60 days, you or we may start an arbitration if the dispute is unresolved.

    If they haven't resolved it in 60 days, you can then start arbitration by following the steps in section 15 paragraph d.

    d. Arbitration Procedure. The AAA will conduct any arbitration under its Commercial Arbitration Rules (or if you are an individual and use the Services for personal or household use, or if the value of the dispute is $75,000 or less whether or not you are an individual or how you use the Services, its Consumer Arbitration Rules). For more information, see www.adr.org or call 1-800-778-7879. To start an arbitration, submit the form available at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=245497 to the AAA and mail a copy to us. In a dispute involving $25,000 or less, any hearing will be telephonic unless the arbitrator finds good cause to hold an in-person hearing instead. Any in-person hearing will take place in your county of residence (or, if a business, your principal place of business) or our principal place of business—King County, Washington if your dispute is with Microsoft. You choose. The arbitrator may award the same damages to you individually as a court could. The arbitrator may award declaratory or injunctive relief only to you individually to satisfy your individual claim. Under AAA Rules, the arbitrator rules on his or her own jurisdiction, including the arbitrability of any claim. But a court has exclusive authority to enforce the prohibition on arbitration on a class-wide basis or in a representative capacity.

    If you don't want to do either of those, according to section 15 paragraph c, you may also file a case in small claims court.

    c. Small Claims Court Option. Instead of mailing a Notice of Dispute, you may sue us in small claims court in your county of residence (or, if a business, your principal place of business) or King County, Washington, U.S.A. if you meet the court’s requirements.

    0 comments No comments