Skip to main content

In wake of Megaupload arrests, FileSonic shutters file-sharing service

In wake of Megaupload arrests, FileSonic shutters file-sharing service

/

In an apparent reaction to the U.S. Department of Justice's seizure of Megaupload's assets, FileSonic has disabled its own file-sharing functionality.

Share this story

Filesonic
Filesonic

In an apparent reaction to the US Department of Justice's seizure of Megaupload's assets, FileSonic has disabled its own file-sharing functionality. The site previously offered storage and sharing services similar to the now-defunct Megaupload, but its front page currently reads, "All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled. Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally." Other than that banner, FileSonic's been quiet on the subject; neither the official blog nor its Twitter account mention any change.

According to TorrentFreak, FileSonic is among the top ten file-sharing sites on the internet, serving up a quarter-billion page views every month. Like Megaupload, the site had at least made gestures toward curbing copyright infringement: its "In the Press" section still touts a partnership with content-analysis firm Vobile, signed in December. The partnership was meant to keep copyrighted material from ever reaching users, but it's unclear whether FileSonic put Vobile's technology into place. In the wake of the Megaupload seizure, the company may have settled on a more drastic solution.

In a similar move, cyberlocker Uploaded.to has apparently blocked US users, greeting them with a homepage reading, "Our service is currently unavailable in your country. Sorry about that." It's also been quiet about its motivations.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!