ICQ, the once-popular instant messaging platform, is shutting down on June 26th, 2024.
Launched in 1996 by Israeli company Mirabilis, ICQ quickly rose to fame as one of the first widely adopted messaging platforms, boasting over 100 million users at its peak. It was known for its unique user identification numbers, rather than usernames, and its distinctive “uh-oh” sound that signaled incoming messages.
Despite its early success, ICQ was eventually overtaken by newer competitors like AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger. After several ownership changes, it was acquired by VK (formerly Mail.Ru) in 2010. Although it continued to have a dedicated user base, especially in Russia and Eastern Europe, its popularity dwindled in recent years.
VK has not provided a specific reason for the shutdown.
