TorrentSpy no longer available to US users

TorrentSpy no longer available to US users
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

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 27 Aug 2007 18:57
Advertisement - News comments available below the ad
  • 37 comments

  • Pop_Smith

    Wow this must have been extremely recent as I browsed the site today, approx. 5 hours ago, and it was fine. Oh well other sites are still accepting U.S. traffic so I guess I will just have to visit them, either that or use a proxy. :P

    Peace

    27.8.2007 19:01 #1

  • PeaInAPod

    Quote:either that or use a proxy I wonder if they are blocking US users just from the search function or from sending data to/generating traffic on Torrentspys servers?

    27.8.2007 19:16 #2

  • Ludikhris

    Ok... super easy work around.

    Just go to ( http://proxy.org/ ) and use a euro proxy. I obtained a couple torrents that way. Done and done.

    Ludikhris

    27.8.2007 19:27 #3

  • xhardc0re

    WoW that's a crock of sh**. If the MPAA makes them hand over any user data, i hope they nuke their HDDs so those b@stards don't get their hands on any IP addresses.

    27.8.2007 19:36 #4

  • Bucknekid

    Ehh, no big deal, not like there isn't 200 other search engines out there.

    27.8.2007 19:37 #5

  • Pop_Smith

    Originally posted by PeaInAPod: I wonder if they are blocking US users just from the search function or from sending data to/generating traffic on Torrentspys servers?They are only blocking U.S. based IPs from searching, you can still access the site but you can't search for torrents.

    Peace

    27.8.2007 20:25 #6

  • DoomLight

    torrent spy sucked. it need tweaks and better presentation. im not gonna miss it.

    27.8.2007 20:26 #7

  • Hopium

    "torrent spy sucked. it need tweaks and better presentation. im not gonna miss it."

    amen brotha

    27.8.2007 20:44 #8

  • webe123

    It will be more of a hurt for Torrentspy than anyone else that used it in the US. A lot of it's users were american....now they have shut off that userbase....Oh well, their loss.

    There are FAR more sites americans can go to and they will just switch over to one of them.

    So the file sharing world for americans will not suddenly stop, just becuase this happens.


    As stated previously...the site sucked and needed to be redone anyway. No big loss.

    27.8.2007 21:07 #9

  • WierdName

    Don't use torrent spy anymore anyways. Although, anyone could just setup a proxy server on a server based in another country then access it that way.

    27.8.2007 22:24 #10

  • cousinkix

    F--- em'. I hate those torrent sites that demand that you join their goddamned little club and provide too much NOYB information to a complete stranger. Such nosey baloney is certainly contrary to that privavy stuff the EU beauracrats are going crazy over.

    One day they'll learn a lesson the hard way! Nothing prevents somebody associated with the RIAA or MPAA from signing up. They can download evidence, provide it to the secret police and these fools are busted. Why not; we already have narcotics agents selling phony drugs and busting junkies.

    There used to be proxy software that let you re-route through any nation in the world and go to blocked sites from there. Tried to use Hide IP Platinum which no longer does much of anything...

    28.8.2007 02:22 #11

  • rdmercer1

    just went there and this is what i found ( 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.

    We hope you understand and will take the opportunity to visit one of these other fine websites)

    28.8.2007 04:40 #12

  • ZippyDSM

    By forcing the site to be more uummmm...."advance net user" friendly would it make the site better?....least it keeps it from noobs....
    LOL

    28.8.2007 05:14 #13

  • cousinkix

    Anybody can use a proxy to enter that site and use it. Why even keep track of who uses torrentspy if somebody is so frigging concerned with privacy? There is nothing to give to the nosey bastards if you don't keep that information at all.

    Funny that the EU allows the importing and sales of radios that can eavesdrop on mobile and cordless phones. Amateur operators provide recordings of the British Royal Family's private phone conversations to tabloid TV networks in the colonies.

    So much for being concerned about Privacy. Get caught selling telephone eavesdropping radios in the USA and go to federal prison...

    28.8.2007 06:33 #14

  • Unfocused

    There are also a ton of IP maskers out there that will also do the job. When I use these, I can come in from Detroit, Australia, Sweden, Russia, etc. This gives a few problems accessing certain websites, but for all of the torrent sites, I've never run into a problem. Only problems exist with legitimate browsing, but if you are running legit, why alter your IP?

    28.8.2007 07:01 #15

  • BIGnewb

    torrentspy was good like 2 years ago.ever since the trial with mpaa they've turned in.providing ads with viruses and crap.only a retard would download that but the fact remains that they b*tched out to the mpaa.

    who cares about them now.im from canada and i can still access the site probably but im having fun with the new suprnova.lol.

    28.8.2007 07:22 #16

  • webe123

    Yeah, with Supernova being back....I don't think this site will be missed at all.

    28.8.2007 08:41 #17

  • ShoeBark

    Originally posted by Ludikhris: Ok... super easy work around.

    Just go to ( http://proxy.org/ ) and use a euro proxy. I obtained a couple torrents that way. Done and done.

    Ludikhris    Exactly.

    28.8.2007 10:18 #18

  • eiamhere

    The Mafia tried to sue them. They claimed that any information contained in RAM (which apparently can be recovered upto 6 months later) is legally the same as information stored on a hard drive.

    They were demanding that Torrentspy submitted users search history, etc.

    Torrentspy refused and last I read it was still up in the air.

    This is probably an attempt to prevent them gaining this right.

    28.8.2007 13:24 #19

  • cousinkix

    "They were demanding that TorrentSpy submitted users search history, etc. Torrentspy refused and last I read it was still up in the air.
    This is probably an attempt to prevent them gaining this right."

    Why even collect such information on the users because that violates their privacy rights. TorrentSpy has the brains of a Washington DC whorehouse madam, whose little black book of her customer's names and kinky sex habits, wound up in the hands of the police. She's another idiot.

    The TorrentSpy bunch are a danger to their own members, wether they sold out to the RIAA/MPAA mafia or not. I avoid using any sites that make me register like a child molester. BOYCOTT them all...

    28.8.2007 17:14 #20

  • Saber9

    ISoHunt is the way to go. With the search bar built right into Firefox you really don't need anything else.

    28.8.2007 18:00 #21

  • cousinkix

    ISO Hunt is good if you want movies or software. The video files don't even have to be formatted for a DVD. Just download and burn them...

    28.8.2007 18:23 #22

  • kure0

    If you still want to use torrentspy though, just use a proxy like unblocktorrentspy.com and you'll get access to torrentspy again.

    30.8.2007 10:32 #23

  • ZippyDSM

    Originally posted by kure0: If you still want to use torrentspy though, just use a proxy like unblocktorrentspy.com and you'll get access to torrentspy again.Why its one of the worst torrent sites out there 0-o

    30.8.2007 11:09 #24

  • WierdName

    Originally posted by ZIppyDSM: Why its one of the worst torrent sites out there 0-oBecause, they want year old, viruse/spyware/malware/etc. infested torrents monitored by the RIAA/MPAA/FBI/etc.
    Now get off their back... Man, some people.
    lol

    30.8.2007 12:25 #25

  • EvilDeeds

    Hmmmm - not really the responses you guys should be giving. You realise the reason they did this is because the US court system were about to force the site to hand over all user's IP address', because technically your IP address gets stored in memory on the servers. This is a HUGE deal for the americans among us complaining about this being no loss... basically because the "superior" sites you all go on about will be logging your details, including the search information - the torrent tracker you download, your IP address etc etc. The RIAA will take ALL this information and f*ck you up the *ss with it... torrentspy actually did a selfless thing here, and decided it was for the good of the world that they did this, and they get rewarded by stupid people claiming it's a crap site anyway so who cares???? What happens when all the proxy sites, all the torrent sites, all the newsgroups and private tracker sites all start closing their doors to the US.... you will be well and truly f*cked then! ;) Wake up... sort yourselves out.

    31.8.2007 07:38 #26

  • rrmk37

    OK no problem--never really liked it anyway and I cant remember the last time I used it way to many snags with using it.See ya dont need ya.

    31.8.2007 08:59 #27

  • rrmk37

    Originally posted by AtiLaw: Hmmmm - not really the responses you guys should be giving. You realise the reason they did this is because the US court system were about to force the site to hand over all user's IP address', because technically your IP address gets stored in memory on the servers. This is a HUGE deal for the americans among us complaining about this being no loss... basically because the "superior" sites you all go on about will be logging your details, including the search information - the torrent tracker you download, your IP address etc etc. The RIAA will take ALL this information and f*ck you up the *ss with it... torrentspy actually did a selfless thing here, and decided it was for the good of the world that they did this, and they get rewarded by stupid people claiming it's a crap site anyway so who cares???? What happens when all the proxy sites, all the torrent sites, all the newsgroups and private tracker sites all start closing their doors to the US.... you will be well and truly f*cked then! ;) Wake up... sort yourselves out.I dont think i need your comment calling people stupid.I dont think you see that most of what you have craped out makes any sense and shows your thinking like a kids response not an adult.I dont see them out to protect us but saving their own ass's so save your bs about them being so selfless yeah right.They made this descision to save their own and keep running without the USA causing them any problems.I cant blame them for that but please selfless lol...ex..Afterdawn they did what was needed yet still give accecss to the USA and do their best to help but comply to run without hosting burning programs/downloads ,but they can help steer you in the right direction for most of your needs.

    31.8.2007 09:16 #28

  • EvilDeeds

    Quote:Originally posted by AtiLaw: Hmmmm - not really the responses you guys should be giving. You realise the reason they did this is because the US court system were about to force the site to hand over all user's IP address', because technically your IP address gets stored in memory on the servers. This is a HUGE deal for the americans among us complaining about this being no loss... basically because the "superior" sites you all go on about will be logging your details, including the search information - the torrent tracker you download, your IP address etc etc. The RIAA will take ALL this information and f*ck you up the *ss with it... torrentspy actually did a selfless thing here, and decided it was for the good of the world that they did this, and they get rewarded by stupid people claiming it's a crap site anyway so who cares???? What happens when all the proxy sites, all the torrent sites, all the newsgroups and private tracker sites all start closing their doors to the US.... you will be well and truly f*cked then! ;) Wake up... sort yourselves out.I dont think i need your comment calling people stupid.I dont think you see that most of what you have craped out makes any sense and shows your thinking like a kids response not an adult.I dont see them out to protect us but saving their own ass's so save your bs about them being so selfless yeah right.They made this descision to save their own and keep running without the USA causing them any problems.I cant blame them for that but please selfless lol...ex..Afterdawn they did what was needed yet still give accecss to the USA and do their best to help but comply to run without hosting burning programs/downloads ,but they can help steer you in the right direction for most of your needs.That would make sense if it wasn't complete balls... couple of points:
    1 - Spaces AFTER fullstops. See! :)
    2 - It wasn't the fear of USA causing problems, it was the fear of breaking EU privacy rules... you know, that big land-mass just east of the US! To be honest tho, they could have said get lost to the US since they have no control over none-US servers... true, selfless was over the top - but they still took a 20% hit in usage (less with proxy's)
    3 - As far as I know afterdawn doesn't supply links to trackers... hence why they are not in the sights of the RIAA legal-eagles
    4 - I am sure you are very intelligent, I didn't mean to hurt your ickle feelings by calling you stupid. Perhaps short-sighted is a better word... less offensive... ok, I will use short-sighted.

    *cue HUGE flaming lol*

    31.8.2007 09:30 #29

  • frankacne

    America, Land of the Free? Surely some mistake.

    31.8.2007 11:50 #30

  • cousinkix

    Quote:the US court system were about to force the site to hand over all user's IP address', because technically your IP address gets stored in memory on the servers. US courts have no authority in a foreign contry. Everybody say, "f--- you". These are the same imbeciles, who cannot even extradite white trash cop kilers from across the international border. Commit a crime, run off to Mexico and avoid prosecution and going to prison. It happens all of the time.

    Movie director, Roman Polanski raped a 13 year old girl in the early 70s. He's been hiding out as a fugitive in Paris France for decades, just to avoid prison in California. The EU harbors criminal dirt bags from the states (including killers); but TorrentSpy is afraid of powerless judge in the colonies? What a joke...

    31.8.2007 14:39 #31

  • z9999

    Perhaps a massive investigation should be conducted on all the RIAA and MPA members and their immediate family members to ascertain that none of them have committed any as yet to be discovered crimes?

    31.8.2007 21:53 #32

  • borhan9

    Torrentspy is not the only site there is out there. Good luck stopping them and even if they do there are hundreds and thousands of other sites out there.

    2.9.2007 14:11 #33

  • AngryAnt

    AtiLaw,
    Where did you come from?
    Whenever I read the comments on pretty much any file sharing or pirating story, the respondents generally sound like a bunch of little kids sitting in a corner kicking their legs up and down screaming they'll do what they want.
    And here you are apparently thinking about an issue in more depth than what you can download today and where you can download it from.
    Are you sure you're in the right place? ;-)

    4.9.2007 22:37 #34

  • EvilDeeds

    Originally posted by AngryAnt: AtiLaw,
    Where did you come from?
    Whenever I read the comments on pretty much any file sharing or pirating story, the respondents generally sound like a bunch of little kids sitting in a corner kicking their legs up and down screaming they'll do what they want.
    And here you are apparently thinking about an issue in more depth than what you can download today and where you can download it from.
    Are you sure you're in the right place? ;-)    lol - Im a programmer in the UK... and here I was thinking everybody hated me! ;)

    5.9.2007 01:12 #35

  • ZippyDSM

    Originally posted by frankacne: America, Land of the Free? Surely some mistake.As free as any other corporate state :P

    5.9.2007 06:13 #36

  • xhardc0re

    Quote:US courts have no authority in a foreign contry. Everybody say, "f--- you". These are the same imbeciles, who cannot even extradite white trash cop kilers from across the international border. Commit a crime, run off to Mexico and avoid prosecution and going to prison. It happens all of the time.
    w0rd!
    i would like to see the World Court try to punish someone for BT from a lawsuit outside the U.S. using a U.S.-based one. Or vice versa.

    Either way, they need to bring that child-molesting S.O.B. Polanski in before they mess around with ppl dL Hollywood movies. but then again, ethics + American politics is a rather self-defeating project in futility. those two do not go together. At all.

    5.9.2007 11:36 #37

© 2024 AfterDawn Oy

Hosted by
Powered by UpCloud