Microsoft glitch results in Sidekick mobile data losses

Microsoft is warning T-Mobile USA Sidekick users that a technical snafu has likely resulted in the permanent loss of contacts, photos and other personal data and content. The Wall Street Journal reports Sidekick users have battled connectivity issues for more than a week, blocking access to contacts, calendar appointments and related data stored on Microsoft servers--while Microsoft and T-Mobile say they have restored online access to the device, a message posted Saturday on the operator's website warns that Sidekick personal content that isn't stored locally on the subscriber's device has "almost certainly" been lost due to server malfunction.

According to T-Mobile USA and Microsoft, Sidekick customers who reset their device by removing its battery or allowing it to drain fully are most at risk of losing their personal data --a Microsoft spokesperson said the firm is investigating whether it can recover some personal data from its servers for consumers who reset their Sidekicks. "It's certainly an extraordinary situation," a Microsoft spokesperson said, adding that Microsoft and T-Mobile "understand that and are working to do everything they can for customers." The technical issues are even more problematic for Microsoft given that Sidekick's cloud services are designed in part to guarantee personal information can be easily recovered if a device is lost or destroyed.

For more on the Sidekick server meltdown:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

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