FileSonic, an online “digital locker” that provides users with 10GB of free storage for 30 days, has shut down the service’s file-sharing functions.
The move is evidently a reaction to the bust on rival serviceMegaupload, which was shut down after police arrested its founder on charges of flagrant copyright violation.
A statement on FileSonic’s home page 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.”
FileSonic shut down the services after an FBI investigation led to the shutdown of Megaupload — which is said to be the largest file-sharing site in the world — and the arrest of its founder, Kim Dotcom.
New Zealand police raided Dotcom’s estate on Friday and took him into custody, along with three other people. A ruling on bail is expected by Wednesday.
The news clearly made an impression. In addition to the shutting down of its file-sharing abilities, FileSonic only shows articles on its “In the News” page that have to do with its support of copyright, and the steps its taking with third parties to protect copyrighted digital content.
Another file-sharing service, RapidShare, told Mashable in an emailed statement that it was unconcerned about the Megaupload arrests. In the statement, RapidShare says it operates in a more transparent way than Megaupload, and says the the site is “absolutely legal.”
CEO Alexandra Zwingli says RapidShare, which is said to be the second-largest online digital locker after Megaupload, acts “rigidly” against copyright infringement and that the company has established a “constructive dialogue with politics and society in the United States” and elsewhere.
It’s not known whether FileSonic ever plans to restore file sharing once more safeguards are in place, or if the change is permanent. Queries to the service weren’t immediately returned. via-Mashable
Are you a FileSonic user? Are you angry about the change, or does it make no difference to you? Let us know in the comments.
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