The owner of Lavabit, the email client reportedly used by Edward Snowden and promoted itself on the basis of not scanning or monitoring accounts, has opted to shut down the service with immediate effect. Account holders have lost all access to their emails as a result, with some taking to social networks to request a temporary restoration of servers so they can secure or migrate their data.

In a message replacing the site’s old homepage, founder Ladar Levison writes “I feel you deserve to know what’s going on--the first amendment is supposed to guarantee me the freedom to speak out in situations like this. Unfortunately, Congress has passed laws that say otherwise. As things currently stand, I cannot share my experiences over the last six weeks, even though I have twice made the appropriate requests.”

Levison warns users that “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.”

Some US sites such as Wired are suggesting that it’s likely Lavabit is attempting to fight a “secret court battle” after receiving a request or warrant for information. The new homepage includes a link to financially support “the Lavabit Legal Defense Fund”.

Meanwhile, another ‘secure’ email provider has chosen to close in advance of any potential information requests from the NSA or other American government groups.

The people behind Silent Circle state “we see the writing on the wall, and we have decided that it is best for us to shut down Silent Mail. We have not received subpoenas, warrants, security letters, or anything else by any government, and this is why we are acting now... It is always better to be safe than sorry, and with your safety we decided that in this case the worst decision is no decision.”

The company’s phone and text services remain operational.