Top 10 articles: Megaupload takedown repercussions and ACTA furore

Both sides of the file-sharing debate hogged the spotlight this week

File-sharing was the big theme of the week with V3 readers.

The takedown of Megaupload continues to send waves across the industry, with news that three other file sharing services, FileSonic, FileServe and Uploaded.to, all decided to restrict their services last week. This followed the shutdown of Megaupload on 19 January.

Meanwhile, The Pirate Party is planning to launch legal proceedings against the FBI in retaliation, claiming that the US agency has impeded access to millions of archives of non-infringing content.

Sticking with the file-sharing theme, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was a hot topic last week as well.

The UK was among a host of European nations to sign up to the controversial legislation, which many argue will place excessive constraints on file-sharing and lead to censorship of the web.

The furore even saw one European Union official launch a scathing attack on the treaty and quit his position in protest over the shadowy tactics that led to ACTA's creation.

File-sharing sites disable services after Megaupload takedown
FileSonic, FileServe and Uploaded.to all on the backfoot

EU nations sign ACTA treaty amid Anonymous protests
Activist groups speak out against controversial treaty

Symantec advises users to turn off pcAnywhere in hack aftermath
Stolen code leaves platform vulnerable to attack

European Commission prepares to unveil revised Data Protection law
Legal experts warn proposed legislation could prove onerous on all European businesses

Pirate Party to sue FBI for closing Megaupload file-sharing site
Blocking access to legal content could be seen as misappropriation of personal data

Pirate Bay becomes unlikely champion of 3D printing
Group pushes for establishment of 'physibles' platform

European ACTA investigator issues scathing attack on document and quits in protest
Rapporteur Kader Arif denounces work in damning statement

ICO chides employment agency after personal details leaked in misdirected email
Data watchdog also forced to take action after another encrypted USB loss

Nokia Lumia 710 review
Windows Phone offers high-end specs at a reasonable price

Sophos warns of rising Android malware threats in 2012
Criminals shift focus to smartphones and tablets with Google's popular system in the firing line