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Sidekick Users Revolt Over Mass Data Loss

Forums crowded with angry users; some threaten lawsuit

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 12, 2009 1:36 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Sidekick users are on the warpath after learning Microsoft and its subsidiary, the ironically named Danger Inc., have lost all their data, permanently, in a server crash. T-Mobile offered to credit users a free month of data service, but that didn’t mollify the people on T-Mobile’s support forums, ComputerWorld reports. By midday today, 3,600 had posted angry messages, with most threatening to dump their phones.

“I just spoke to a lawyer,” said one user. “He informed me he would be happy to start a class-action suit against T-Mobile. He said he could not only get us out of our contracts, but can more than likely get $50 per contact lost.” Microsoft and T-Mobile issued a statement saying they were working on recovering the data but “the likelihood of a successful outcome is extremely low.”

In this product file photo provided by T-Mobile shows the T-Mobile Sidekick LX, is shown.
In this product file photo provided by T-Mobile shows the T-Mobile Sidekick LX, is shown.   (AP Photo/T-Mobile, file)
In this Feb. 10, 2009 file photo, students use their T-Mobile Sidekicks at Boston Arts Academy in Boston.
In this Feb. 10, 2009 file photo, students use their T-Mobile Sidekicks at Boston Arts Academy in Boston.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
DontLikeYou___
Oct 13, 2009 12:35 PM CDT
I work with web servers and I don't see how they could have permanently lost the data unless someone took a powerful magnet and erased the disks or stole the servers. Even when you erase files on your computer, they are still there. You can get an open source program to recover deleted files and it takes just minutes.
pg13
Oct 13, 2009 2:03 AM CDT
AClotfelter, the phones were out of service for days. Customers got desperate and decided to wipe out their devices to see if they'd get a connection. They expected to restore their data from T-Mobile and T-Mobile went a week before they told anyone that the data was gone.
pg13
Oct 13, 2009 2:01 AM CDT
Hefty slap? I doubt it. The manufacturer doesn't care. It's not like anyone's getting a refund for their Sidekick. And the customers are locked into T-Mobile, so T-Mobile doesn't care either. It's just like the airlines -- they can abuse you but you don't really have many choices.

 
Microsoft • crash • data storage • smartphones • Sidekick • T-Mobile • Danger Inc.

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