Megaupload users plan to sue FBI over deleted files

By: Chenda Ngak
Topics: Tech Talk

(Credit: Federal Bureau of Investigations )

(CBS) - Megaupload users are organizing a complaint against the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations because of a mass wipe of the website's files last week.

The website TorrentFreak reported, Pirate Parties around the world are compiling a list of people who want to file a joint complaint against the FBI.

"The widespread damage caused by the sudden closure of Megaupload is unjustified and completely disproportionate to the aim intended," a representative from the Pirate Party announced.

Megaupload was taken down last Thursday after the site's founder Kim Dotcom was arrested in New Zealand for piracy and money laundering.

The Pirate Party is accusing the FBI of violating "Articles 197 and 198 of the Spanish Penal Code by misappropriating personal data."

Megaupload is a file-sharing site used for files too large to send via email. While the infrastructure of the site itself is not illegal, the Motion Pictures Association of America alleges the majority of files shared on Megaupload are in violation of copyright laws. The site made money by charging a subscription free for faster downloads and advertisements.

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by dft10 February 2, 2012 5:41 PM EST: There is one more new method to send/share large files. Perhaps you may have heard of it. It is called Binfer. It sends files directly from computer to computer/mobile devices, hence removing any middleman approach. And since files do not sit on some third party servers, it is very safe and secure for private and confidential stuff. Lastly, because of the direct approach there is no limitation on size and quantity. Do check it out when you get a chance: http://www.binfer.com; Reply to this comment


by notfucharley January 31, 2012 2:07 PM EST: The Cloud is a data loss accident waiting to happen.; Reply to this comment


by MariePearle January 29, 2012 9:12 AM EST: This is why you should never store anything important on a web site. Always make other types of backups if it's that important.; Reply to this comment


by tiredofeverything January 28, 2012 4:42 PM EST: 98% of the files hosted at megaupload were illegal.
Movies, porn and music.

I normally don't take the governments side in anything, especially in regards to the internet, but MUL entire business plan was based on building traffic from illegal files uploaded by users which they could claim they had no control over, then turn around and sell advertising which rates would be based on the number of visitors the site received.

Youtube does the same thing.

Sorry, but no sympathy from here.; Reply to this comment

by ricktrick January 27, 2012 4:17 PM EST

Oh yes storing you data in the "cloud" is safe, riiiiight.

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by Scimajor January 27, 2012 4:58 PM EST: Ok but it might also be a case of WHREE you store on the cloud rather than IF you store information on the cloud.

Again, like in the case of a bank, your money is probably safer in a large FDIC insured bank rather the "Billy-Joe-Bob's Bank of Appleville".

It should be obvious that a website that is predominantly used for storing pirated material is probably not the safest place to store your treasured family photo's. Having said that, the F.B.I. should not have dropped access to any and all material without regard to the content.

by Scimajor January 27, 2012 3:08 PM EST

Let's say a bank manager was being charged with fraud and SOME of the depositers had deposited stolen funds. Would the F.B.I. close the bank and sieze the funds of ALL the depositers?

Of course they would not.

That's essentially what the F.B.I. did in this case.

OOPS!!!!

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by FredHorein January 28, 2012 7:43 PM EST: I'd like to point out a very important difference, in that money in the bank cannot also exist at home, while videos in a file-sharing service can also simultaneously exist on your home computer. Common sense tells me that if you're keeping your sole copy of a file on the cloud, you're just asking for a problem.