Torrentz.eu, the largest torrent meta-search engine in the world, has been shut down since yesterday and is unlikely to return.
Started only a few months after Pirate Bay in 2003, Torrentz.eu was one of the most resilient search engines for torrents for illegally downloading television shows, films, music and games online.
Torrentz.eu disabled its search functionality two days ago, according to TorrentFreak, and has now disabled the site's registered users from accessing their logins. Unlike Pirate Bay, Torrentz.eu didn't host any files or torrents on the site. Instead, it acted as a search engine similar to Google and displayed results based on user searches.
Despite this, the site was regularly reported by the RIAA and the MPAA for copyright infringement. The fall of Torrentz.eu is just one part in a major crackdown on illegal downloading and torrenting online.
Google Chrome users are now being suspiciously blocked from accessing Pirate Bay or its proxies, which the browser showing up a Malicious Software alert when one tries to access it. However, when you attempt to bypass the safety message, you're automatically pointed to the Internet Service Provider's website, i.e. Virgin Media.
It's not yet known if Torrentz.eu was targeted by anti-piracy organisations or if it was shut down over legal actions, however it was one of the major torrent search engines on the internet and marks a huge victory against illegal downloading.
Via Torrentfreak
