Did Microsoft Leak Its Own Xbox Information? Phil Spencer Promises 'Real Plans' In The Future

Microsoft Corp MSFT faced a significant leak of confidential information related to Xbox plans and discussions.

The leaked documents, originally intended for the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) involvement in Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc ATVI, were accidentally made public.

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These documents offered an unprecedented inside look at Xbox's operations from 2019 to 2022, including plans for mid-gen updates and next-gen consoles, the company's cloud gaming aspirations and even discussions about acquiring other gaming companies.

Initially, some Xbox fans speculated the FTC might be behind the leak, but the agency denied any involvement.

FTC Director of Office Affairs Douglas Farrar took to X to deny the allegations: "The FTC was not responsible for uploading Microsoft’s plans for its games and consoles to the court website."

The FTC was not responsible for uploading Microsoft's plans for its games and consoles to the court website. https://t.co/MspoQN1exL

— Douglas Farrar (@DouglasLFarrar) September 19, 2023

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley issued a new court order mandating that the FTC and Microsoft meet to address issues with trial exhibits. The blame for the leak was squarely placed on Microsoft, as it provided the unredacted materials, which were subsequently uploaded by the court to the case's internet page.

"The Court ordered the parties to meet and confer and provide the Court with a secure cloud link to the admitted exhibits with the redactions set forth in the Court’s orders," the Judge wrote.

And added: "Microsoft provided the link on September 14 and the Court uploaded the exhibits to [the] internet page established for this case."

As a result, the court removed all documents related to the FTC case from its server.

On Sept. 19, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, addressed the leak in a tweet, saying: "It is hard to see our team's work shared in this way because so much has changed and there's so much to be excited about right now and in the future."

He added Microsoft will share its "real plans" when the moment comes.

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We've seen the conversation around old emails and documents. It is hard to see our team's work shared in this way because so much has changed and there's so much to be excited about right now, and in the future. We will share the real plans when we are ready.

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) September 19, 2023

Photo: KomootP on Shutterstock.