Edward Snowden's secure email provider Lavabit forced to close by US security services

Lavabit forced to close by NSA - and owner Ladar Levison is legally barred from speaking out

The secure email service used by US whistleblower Edward Snowden has shut down rather than comply with orders from US security services - and is also legally barred from speaking out.

The owner and operator of Lavabit, Ladar Levison, took the service down yesterday "for maintenance" before revealing today that the real reason was demands from US intelligence.

In a letter to users posted on the company's home page, Levison explained his decision:

"I have been forced to make a difficult decision: to become complicit in crimes against the American people or walk away from nearly ten years of hard work by shutting down Lavabit. After significant soul searching, I have decided to suspend operations."

He added:

"I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision. I cannot... As things currently stand, I cannot share my experiences over the last six weeks, even though I have twice made the appropriate requests."

As a result of recent events, Levison has initiated legal action in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, before urging anyone to think twice before trusting their "private data" to any company "with physical ties to the US". He wrote:

"This experience has taught me one very important lesson: without congressional action or a strong judicial precedent, I would _strongly_ recommend against anyone trusting their private data to a company with physical ties to the United States."

Lavabit had enjoyed a boom in business when it was revealed that former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden used the company for email because of its high levels of security.

However, Levison has been fighting a losing battle against US security forces, who have been demanding that he turn over details of its users to them.

Levison signed off his open letter with an appeal:

"Defending the constitution is expensive! Help us by donating to the Lavabit Legal Defense Fund here."