Thief steals Xbox 360: alleged culprit calls customer support

New Zealand news site, Stuff, reports that Microsoft ‘s refusal to hand over information on a suspected burglary ring is delaying police efforts. They say that Police had been able to obtain a court order to seize details of a man they believed was linked to a series of Wellington burglaries. Apparently, he had given his details to Microsoft while seeking a replacement part for a stolen Xbox 360 console.

The story goes that an Xbox 360 and games valued at more than US$ 700, were among items stolen on January 23 from a Mt. Victoria property. The next day a man called up Microsoft, quoting the stolen Xbox’s serial number, and then asked for a new power cord (which was left behind in the theft). Microsoft recorder the man’s name, phone number, and address to mail him the part.

We now smack our heads on our desks. You do not go to Microsoft for replacement parts if you stole your Xbox 360. Perhaps the man just ended up with the unit? Who knows. But if he was indeed the thief, or at least connected to the thief, who stole the Xbox 360, words fail to describe how stupid his actions were.

Anyway, Microsoft insists that as an American company it is not bound by New Zealand laws, and as per their policy, they could not pass on confidential customer information to the police.

Police suspected that the man had links to a burglary ring in Wellington, but Microsoft would not pass details to police until they obtained a court-issued search warrant. Microsoft’s New Zealand product manager Thomas Hunt concedes that though it was a criminal matter, Microsoft internal policy required a court order before details could be passed to the police. He adds that it was a “huge issue” for the company to hand out details.

“We genuinely would like to help as much as possible,” he said.

Detective Sergeant Martin Todd seems to agree by saying that Microsoft was acting within its rights and had no legal obligation to help. He adds that “Microsoft haven’t been obstructive in any way.”

Microsoft later gave the details of the man after they received a court issued search warrant. Of course, the victim of the theft is furious that Microsoft knew the man’s details and wasn’t “more helpful.”

The alleged receiver of the stolen Xbox has now been arrested and charged. A 14-year-old had admitted to the theft and two others in the area.

As much as we feel for the robbery victim, we’re a bit glad that Microsoft stuck with their customer privacy policy in this case.

Via Stuff

New Zealand news site, Stuff, reports that Microsoft ‘s refusal to hand over information on a suspected burglary ring is delaying police efforts. They say that Police had been able to obtain a court order to seize details of a man they believed was linked to a series of Wellington burglaries. Apparently, he had given his details to Microsoft while seeking a replacement part for a stolen Xbox 360 console.

The story goes that an Xbox 360 and games valued at more than US$ 700, were among items stolen on January 23 from a Mt. Victoria property. The next day a man called up Microsoft, quoting the stolen Xbox’s serial number, and then asked for a new power cord (which was left behind in the theft). Microsoft recorder the man’s name, phone number, and address to mail him the part.

We now smack our heads on our desks. You do not go to Microsoft for replacement parts if you stole your Xbox 360. Perhaps the man just ended up with the unit? Who knows. But if he was indeed the thief, or at least connected to the thief, who stole the Xbox 360, words fail to describe how stupid his actions were.

Anyway, Microsoft insists that as an American company it is not bound by New Zealand laws, and as per their policy, they could not pass on confidential customer information to the police.

Police suspected that the man had links to a burglary ring in Wellington, but Microsoft would not pass details to police until they obtained a court-issued search warrant. Microsoft’s New Zealand product manager Thomas Hunt concedes that though it was a criminal matter, Microsoft internal policy required a court order before details could be passed to the police. He adds that it was a “huge issue” for the company to hand out details.

“We genuinely would like to help as much as possible,” he said.

Detective Sergeant Martin Todd seems to agree by saying that Microsoft was acting within its rights and had no legal obligation to help. He adds that “Microsoft haven’t been obstructive in any way.”

Microsoft later gave the details of the man after they received a court issued search warrant. Of course, the victim of the theft is furious that Microsoft knew the man’s details and wasn’t “more helpful.”

The alleged receiver of the stolen Xbox has now been arrested and charged. A 14-year-old had admitted to the theft and two others in the area.

As much as we feel for the robbery victim, we’re a bit glad that Microsoft stuck with their customer privacy policy in this case.

Via Stuff