Blogetery Shut Down, 70,000 Blogs Potentially Lost

I was alerted to this news story in which Blogetery, a Wordpress based-blog hosting site, was shut down by it's host, BurstNet. The owner of Blogetery posted on a web forum his exchange with BurstNet's customer service. After only claiming a vague reasoning, BurstNet then said they were forced to shut down Blogetery due to law enforcement. BurstNet did not identify which law enforcement entity forced the shut down.

A Cnet story published earlier today says that BurstNet was contacted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation asking for voluntary disclosure of information, claiming a hit-list and bomb making instructions were posted. BurstNet voluntarily cut off the service for unknown reasons, and presumably complied with the FBI's request.

This is an important reminder to bloggers to back up your blog if you want to preserve it. Blogger's own Terms of Service state as such (emphasis mine):

1. Description of Service. Blogger is a web publishing service and optional hosting service (the "Service"). You will be responsible for all activities occurring under your username and for keeping your password secure. You understand and agree that the Service is provided to you on an AS IS and AS AVAILABLE basis. Google disclaims all responsibility and liability for the availability, timeliness, security or reliability of the Service or any other client software. Google also reserves the right to modify, suspend or discontinue the Service with or without notice at any time and without any liability to you.

Always important, in the world of technology, to have a back up.