Andre Yoskowitz
27 Aug 2007 18:57
Users logging in from the United States are no longer able to access TorrentSpy's torrent search engine and instead are redirected to a privacy notice.
"Sorry, but because you are located in the USA you cannot use the search features of the Torrentspy.com website.Torrentspy’s decision to stop accepting US visitors was NOT compelled by any Court but rather an uncertain legal climate in the US regarding user privacy and an apparent tension between US and European Union privacy laws."
TorrentSpy's owner Justin Bunnells aid the decision was made in part to comply with EU privacy laws. “We must comply with European Union privacy laws and turning off USA traffic was the only way to guarantee that protection for our users. It is not something with a time limit.”
However, on the flip side of the decision, almost 20 percent of TorrentSpy's visitors are US residents and shutting them out should prove disastrous to the site. Bunnell had this to say on the future of the site. “Whatever future awaits, the innovations of peer-to-peer technology and the jobs and opportunities it creates will take place outside of the USA.”
TorrentSpy is of course in the middle of a lawsuit with the MPAA over logging user data, which has yet to be ruled on.
More updates as they come.
Source:
BetaNews