File storage site FileSonic has disabled its file sharing functionality, in the wake of US authorities shutting down popular filesharing hub Megaupload.

Where before users could upload content for public download, as of now FileSonic can only be used by registered users to upload and download their own files via their own accounts.

"All sharing functionality on FileSonic is now disabled," says a message on the site's homepage. "Our service can only be used to upload and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally."

As we reported last week, Megaupload was shut down and owner Kim DotCom arrested after US officials accused the site of violating copyright law.

"This action is among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States," said a statement issued by the US Department of Justice, "and directly targets the misuse of a public content storage and distribution site to commit and facilitate intellectual property crime."

FileSonic's choice to disable its filesharing capacity is presumably a move to pre-empt and avoid any similar legal and criminal issues. Given the hardline approach taken by US authorities, it might be reasonable to expect other file sharing and storage sites to follow suit in the near future.

UPDATE: That would appear to be the case: both FileServe and Uploaded.to have also changed options to share files via their sites.

FileServe has shut down that facility entirely - a message on the site informs visitors: "FileServe can only be used to download and retrieve files that you have uploaded personally. If this file belongs to you, please login to download it directly from your file manager."

Uploaded.to, meanwhile, has shut down access for US users, though currently remains fully operational elsewhere.