Mega, Megaupload replacement site, to launch Jan 2013

Kim Dotcom, the founder of Megaupload, a file-sharing website that was shut down by the US government, has announced plans for a replacement site, Mega.

According to BBC News, Dotcom, Mega is due to launch in January 2013, before the flamboyant internet entrepreneur will face an extradition hearing to the United States for online piracy, fraud and money laundering.

Mega, the new website, will not use US based hosting companies to avoid being targeted by US authorities for unlawful activities.

"The new Mega avoids any dealings with U.S. hosters, U.S. domains and U.S. backbone providers and has changed the way it operates to avoid another takedown," Dotcom said, Reuters reported.

More from GlobalPost: New Zealand spy agency and PM apologize to Kim Dotcom, Megaupload founder

According the Telegraph, the site has shifted the burden of responsibility for its content onto its users.

"In the past, securely storing and transferring confidential information required the installation of dedicated software," explains a statement on me.ga, the holding site for Dotcom's replacement. "The new Mega encrypts and decrypts your data transparently in your browser, on the fly."

They're currently taking on investors, so if you're looking to be "part of the success story," Dotcom asks that you get in touch.  

More from GlobalPost: New Zealand to investigate alleged illegal spying in Kim Dotcom case

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