Megaupload user data won't be deleted
(CBS) - The saga continues for Megaupload users. It was only last week that users were told their files would be deleted in two weeks' time.
The Los Angeles Times reports, Megaupload's web hosting companies Carpathia Hosting and Cogent Communications is putting everything on hold.
ZDNET obtained a statement from Brian Winter, chief marketing officer at Carpathia.
"Carpathia Hosting has no immediate plans to reprovision some or all of the Megaupload servers. This means that there is no imminent data loss for Megaupload customers. If this situation changes, Carpathia will post a notice at least 7 days in advance of reprovisioning any Megaupload servers at Carpathia.com and MegaRetrieval.com."
The data from Megaupload remains under the control of Carpathia. The hosting company worked with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to create the site MegaRetrieval.com.
It remains a sticky situation, however. Separating user content that is legitimate from pirated files is a daunting task for all parties involved. Megaupload has roughly 50 million accounts, not all of which store content that infringes on any copyrights.
According to the Times, there are no details on how long users will be denied access to their files.
"We're on a fact-finding mission right now. I don't know the best way forward," EFF staff attorney Julie Samuels told the Times.
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.
Megaupload was taken down last Thursday after the site's founder Kim Dotcom was arrested in New Zealand for piracy and money laundering.
