Summary: With Megaupload now defunct and shut down by U.S. authorities, more file-sharing sites, including FileSonic and now FileServe, are shutting down their services to limit potential fallout.
FileServe is the latest high profile file-sharing site to effectively pull the plug on its own service, by disallowing all downloads except those “that you have uploaded personally”.
The company has not made any official comment. It comes less than 24 hours since similar file-sharing site FileSonic disabled its service, only allowing users to download content that they have uploaded themselves.
It is thought that FileServe follows FileSonic and other sites in response to the wider crackdown on file-sharing sites by U.S. authorities.
Reddit brought to light the sudden move by FileServe, which currently holds as the 132nd most popular site on the Web, according to Internet traffic analytics firm Alexa.
Many other file hosting websites have closed their affiliate programs, which allows users to generate revenue based on the number of downloads clicked per uploaded file.
Sites like FileServe can be a hotbed for hosting illegally uploaded copyrighted material, such as television shows and films, to allow users to make a quick buck or two by sharing the links with online forums. ZDNet’s Stephen Chapman explained how in an article last year.
Online forums and link-sharing sites allow users to submit not only their torrent files for peer-to-peer sharing, but operate on an open-comment system. This gives community users the ability to leave comments that include links to file-sharing sites, such as FileServe, RapidShare and the now defunct Megaupload.
As many other file-sharing sites are closing their sites and affiliate links, others are taking the drastic measure by deleting entire swathes of accounts and files stored on their servers. Others like Uploaded.to are taking to blocking IP addresses from the United States to mitigate any future potential damage.
Image source: FileServe.
Related:
FileSonic shutters: Another file-sharing site bites the dust
CBS News: Popular file-sharing website Megaupload shut down
Megaupload Anonymous hacker retaliation, nobody wins
ZDNet: Anonymous hacks DOJ, RIAA, MPAA and Universal Music websites
UK web blacklist blocks access to file-sharing site Fileserve
More ISPs asked to block access to file-sharing sites
CNET: FBI charges MegaUpload operators with piracy crimes
Officials seize $42 million in MegaUpload assets
What MegaUpload founders stand to lose
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu