# MEGA file system

> filesystem used in the cloud-based encrypted virtual disks made available to users of the MEGA system

**Wikidata**: [Q28771229](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28771229)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mega-file-system

## Summary  
The MEGA file system is a cloud‑based file system that underpins the encrypted virtual disks offered to users of the MEGA storage service. It was created by internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and first released on 19 January 2013.

## Key Facts  
- **Developer:** Kim Dotcom, German‑Finnish internet entrepreneur.  
- **Instance of:** file system (a concrete format for storing files and directories).  
- **Publication / release date:** 19 January 2013.  
- **Purpose:** Provides the underlying structure for MEGA’s encrypted virtual disks.  
- **Scope:** Used exclusively within the MEGA cloud‑storage platform for its users.  
- **Wikidata description:** “filesystem used in the cloud‑based encrypted virtual disks made available to users of the MEGA system.”  
- **Related class:** file system (general concept of storing files on a data storage device).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the MEGA file system?  
A: It is the specialized file system that powers the encrypted virtual disks in the MEGA cloud‑storage service, enabling users to store and manage files securely online.  

### Q: Who created the MEGA file system?  
A: The file system was developed by Kim Dotcom, the founder of the MEGA platform.  

### Q: When was the MEGA file system first released?  
A: It was first published on 19 January 2013.  

### Q: How does the MEGA file system differ from ordinary file systems?  
A: It is designed specifically for cloud‑based, end‑to‑end encrypted virtual disks rather than for local storage devices.  

### Q: Is the MEGA file system open‑source?  
A: The source material does not specify its licensing status; it is known primarily as the proprietary file system used by the MEGA service.  

## Why It Matters  
The MEGA file system is central to the security and usability of MEGA’s cloud‑storage offering. By providing a dedicated, encrypted virtual‑disk architecture, it allows users to store data in the cloud with strong privacy guarantees—MEGA’s end‑to‑end encryption ensures that only the user can decrypt their files. This design addresses a key concern in cloud computing: protecting user data from unauthorized access while still offering the convenience of remote storage and synchronization across devices. As cloud storage continues to dominate personal and enterprise data management, a robust file system like MEGA’s underpins trust in the service, influencing user adoption and setting a benchmark for privacy‑focused storage solutions.  

## Notable For  
- **Creator pedigree:** Developed by Kim Dotcom, a high‑profile internet entrepreneur.  
- **Encryption focus:** Tailored for end‑to‑end encrypted virtual disks, unlike generic local file systems.  
- **Platform specificity:** Built exclusively for the MEGA cloud‑storage ecosystem.  
- **Early release:** Introduced in early 2013, positioning MEGA among the first services to pair cloud storage with strong client‑side encryption.  
- **Integration:** Serves as the foundational layer that enables MEGA’s file‑sharing and synchronization features.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- The MEGA file system is a **file system**—a concrete format for storing files and directories—implemented on cloud‑based virtual disks.  
- It operates within the MEGA service, providing the structural backbone for users’ encrypted storage containers.  

### Development History  
- **Developer:** Kim Dotcom, known for founding the MEGA platform.  
- **Release date:** 19 January 2013, marking the public availability of the system as part of MEGA’s launch.  

### Technical Characteristics  
- **Encryption:** Designed for encrypted virtual disks; files are stored in a format that supports end‑to‑end encryption.  
- **Scope of use:** Limited to the MEGA ecosystem; not a general‑purpose file system for local hardware.  
- **Classification:** Listed in Wikidata as an **instance of** the broader class “file system.”  

### Relationship to the MEGA Service  
- The file system underlies all **cloud‑based virtual disks** that MEGA offers to its users.  
- It enables features such as **secure file sharing**, **synchronization across devices**, and **private cloud storage**.  

### References & Further Reading  
- **Wikidata entry:** `MEGA_file_system` (file_format_wiki_page_id).  
- **Related concept:** “file system” – the general class describing formats for storing files on storage devices.