Microsoft will cancel and refund inactive Xbox Game Pass accounts

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Microsoft will cancel and refund inactive Xbox Game Pass accounts

Under pressure from Uk regulator

Microsoft are making their auto-renewing subscriptions more flexible under pressure from the CMA, the UK'due south Contest And Markets Authorisation. The regulator'southward investigation began in 2019 and ended this past week, with the CMA maxim they had "secured undertakings" that impact Xbox Live and Xbox Game Laissez passer. The changes include Microsoft refunding and even cancelling subscriptions in cases where customers "oasis't used their memberships for a long time."

Like nigh subscription services, Microsoft regularly advertise Game Laissez passer with a £1-a-calendar month offer that so auto-renews at full price after three months. Equally access to media increasingly depends on various subscription service, it's easy to sign up to an account then forget about it.

The changes the CMA have secured include offering clearer data to customers about motorcar-renewal policies, offering pro-rata refunds to customers who cancel during a recurring 12-month sub, refunding and automatically cancelling unused accounts, and amend information about price increases.

Here's the full breakdwon, every bit shared by the CMA:

Amend upfront information: Microsoft will provide more transparent, upfront data to help customers empathise their Xbox membership – making articulate, for example, that the subscription volition car-renew unless the customer turns off auto-renewal; when the subscription will auto-renew; how much it will toll; and how the client can receive a refund afterward an adventitious renewal
Refunds: Microsoft volition contact existing customers on recurring 12-month contracts and requite them the option to end their contract and claim a pro-rata refund
Inactive memberships: Microsoft will also contact existing customers who oasis't used their memberships for a long time but are however paying. These customers will exist reminded how to stop payments, and if they continue non to utilize their memberships, Microsoft will ultimately stop taking further payments
Better data nigh price increases: Microsoft will give clearer notifications of whatsoever future price rises, and will ensure people know how to turn off auto-renewal if they don't want to pay the higher price

These changes are described equally an "undertaking", which means this is a "voluntary agreement" on Microsoft's part to address the CMA's concerns without the need for court action.

"Other companies offering memberships and subscriptions that machine-renew should take note, and review their practices to ensure they comply with consumer protection police," said the CMA'due south Executive Director Of Enforcement, Michael Greenfell.

While the CMA is a UK regulator and changes will curlicue out in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland kickoff, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed to The Verge that the improvements "will exist available globally soon."