TipsMake.com recently reported on LibreOffice accusing Microsoft of deliberately using a complex file format to "lock" users into Microsoft Office, making it difficult for open source solutions like LibreOffice.
Now, it's unclear whether it's a 'retaliatory' move or not, as Microsoft has just suddenly frozen the account of Mike Kaganski - LibreOffice developer without prior warning, citing "activities that violate the Terms of Service".
Account locked suddenly, appeal process "disaster"
Mike said the incident occurred last Monday when he tried to send a technical email to the LibreOffice development list – a routine he did every day. Thunderbird reported an error message saying it failed to send, and when he tried again, he found that his Microsoft account was completely disabled.
He suspected that Microsoft's automated system (bot) had made a mistake, because the email content did not violate the terms. Mike decided to complain, but the process left him exclaiming: "Microsoft is pathetically incompetent in the IT field."
At first, the system asked for a phone number for verification, but after entering it, he only received a message saying "Try another method" – even though no other methods were suggested. Then, Mike tried to contact support, but the site required. a login to send the request (!). He commented sourly:
"Can't log in? No problem! Contact support. by logging in first."
Ultimately, Mike had to use his wife's account to file a complaint. Microsoft responded with an email directing him to return to the login page and provide a phone number—something he had tried and failed to do before. The support ticket was closed without resolution, despite Mike's detailed description of the problem.
Not the only case
Notably, Mike is not the only victim of this 'disastrous' complaint process. On 17th of last month, a Reddit user (nickname u/deus03690) shared that his Microsoft account containing 30 years of irreplaceable family and work photos on OneDrive was permanently locked. Although Microsoft promised support within 10 days, they have yet to receive a real response.
Meanwhile, the email Mike tried to send via Gmail was easily successful. The question is: Is this a 'system bug,' or a tactic to make things difficult for the open source community? Leave your thoughts in the comments!