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Eugene

(61,945 posts) Mon Jan 30, 2012, 11:26 AM Jan 2012

Megaupload users face data deletion US prosecutors warn

Source: BBC

30 January 2012 Last updated at 15:08 GMT

Megaupload users face data deletion US prosecutors warn

US prosecutors have said that data belonging to Megaupload users and stored by third parties could be deleted as soon as Thursday.

Users have been unable to access data since the file-sharing service was raided.

The warning was made in a letter filed by the US Attorney's Office.

Megaupload's lawyer Ira Rothken told the Associated Press that at least 50 million users had data which could be deleted.

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4 replies

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Megaupload users face data deletion US prosecutors warn (Original Post) Eugene Jan 2012 OP

re: "50 million users had data which could be deleted" cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #1

Those who downloaded a pirated copy of Taylor Swift, etc. from such sites might check for trojans. leveymg Jan 2012 #2

Not beyond the ability cthulu2016 Jan 2012 #3

That assumes all those users have their data backed up--which was entire purpose of "cloud" storage. hlthe2b Jan 2012 #4

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

1. re: "50 million users had data which could be deleted"

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Jan 30, 2012, 11:34 AM

Jan 2012

This refers to registered megaupload users who have files stored on megaupload. It does not refer to files on private computers that people downloaded from megaupload.

Just clarifying that for anyone concerned.

leveymg

(36,418 posts)

2. Those who downloaded a pirated copy of Taylor Swift, etc. from such sites might check for trojans.

Reply to cthulu2016 (Reply #1)

Mon Jan 30, 2012, 11:42 AM

Jan 2012

It's not beyond the technical ability of private companies to do just that. Unfortunately, viruses tend to also take out the OS and/or other files on the same hard drive.

cthulu2016

(10,960 posts)

3. Not beyond the ability

Reply to leveymg (Reply #2)

Mon Jan 30, 2012, 11:46 AM

Jan 2012

but not likely at this juncture since remote deletion of any material on a private users machine, copyrighted or not, would be a felony.

hlthe2b

(102,357 posts)

4. That assumes all those users have their data backed up--which was entire purpose of "cloud" storage.

Reply to cthulu2016 (Reply #1)

Mon Jan 30, 2012, 12:09 PM

Jan 2012

I'd say this is a big lesson for those using "cloud" services. Even if you THINK that service is totally 100% compliant against any type of copyright infringement. Do you really think that Amazon and Itunes, for instance verify every single account against an illegal video or audio download? Hmmm?

As much a pain as it is to continue my own computer back-ups, making sure I keep a copy in a fire-proof box type safe, I think I will feel much better doing so. These people are really F...ked.

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