Lavabit, Email Service Edward Snowden Reportedly Used, Abruptly Shuts Down

Ladar Levison, owner/operator:

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. I wish that I could legally share with you the events that led to my decision. I cannot. […]

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.

Deeply concerning, to say the least.

★ Thursday, 8 August 2013