Xbox Game Pass stops withdrawing money from inactive accounts

After an investigation carried out by Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK, Microsoft is now forced to change how it handles subscriptions through its Xbox Game Pass gaming service. A decision Microsoft chooses to apply in its entirety for the service in the future, this regardless of region.

Gamers need to be given clear and timely information to make informed choices when signing up for auto-renewing memberships and subscriptions,” CMA executive director of enforcement Michael Grenfell said. “We are therefore pleased that Microsoft has given the CMA these formal undertakings to improve the fairness of their practices and protect consumers, and will be offering refunds to certain customers.

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The change that probably affects most users is that accounts that have been inactive for a longer period will receive mailings about how they can remove the automatic renewal. Existing customers with ongoing 12-month plans will be contacted with a request for renewal, and if a customer chooses to say no, a refund of the draw for the coming year will be made. Should an account not be actively used for a period of 24 months, automatic renewal should be removed without the user having to do anything.

Microsoft also promises to improve the process of subscribing to Game Pass. Clearer information regarding ongoing costs must be presented to the customer. Also exactly what the monthly cost will be each month, after any discounts, should be clarified earlier and more openly. Microsoft also intends to instruct a customer on how to request a refund if the service is accidentally renewed.

Exactly when these changes will roll out is not clear, but since CMA is a British authority, the changes will only take place for customers in the UK. However, a representative of Microsoft confirms in an email to PC Gamer that the changes will soon take effect globally.

Have you had problems with automatic service renewal before? Feel free to discuss in the thread!

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