T-Mobile/Microsoft Sidekick Customer Data Loss Fiasco: A Cloud Cautionary Note for Google Users

From T-Mobile Forums Sidekick area

I almost decided not to bring up the Microsoft/T-Mobile Sidekick data debacle because of its heavy coverage But, I decided to talk about it from the point of view of those of us watching this with interest but not really concerned about our own cloud data. Let’s get started with Engadget who, I believe, broke the story…

T-Mobile: we probably lost all your Sidekick data

The server that holds all T-Mobile Sidekick personal data like contacts and calendar information failed on Saturday. T-Mobile is currently advising Sidekick users to keep their device powered up and on continuously. In other words, do NOT turn off your Sidekick.

Hiptop3.com provides this unofficial explanation of the cause of this cloud data outage here…

What Caused the Sidekick Fail?

According to Hiptop3, it was a cascade of errors that starts with Microsoft (who bought Danger, the firm that designed the Sidekick in early 2008) hired Toshiba to upgrade the SAN (Storage Area Network) that housed all T-Mobile Sidekick user data. The SAN was not backed up before the upgrade. And, well, you know what happened next…

So, what does this have to do with Google Contacts and Calendar? I sync my iPhone and HTC Touch Pro2 (windows Mobile) exclusively with Google Calendar and Contactcs. Presumably Google does a better job of backing up data than T-Mobile and Microsoft. But, do we really know that? And, even if they do, shouldn’t we take some personal reasonability. Fortunately for Google users, Google provides simple mechanisms to export data from Contactcs and Calendar. You can see screenshot segments of the start of these procedures below. So, go back up your Google Calendar and Contacts data right now!

Google Calendar export

Google Contacts export

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Tim Devane (bitly), and SocialTimes' writer Devon Glenn.   Register now.