United States

After 28 years, the first Internet chat ICQ shuts down

Image Credits: UnsplashImage Credits: Unsplash
  • ICQ was one of the first instant messaging platforms, launched in 1996 by the Israeli company Mirabilis.
  • Acquired by AOL in 1998, ICQ reached over 100 million users at its peak in 2001.
  • Despite its shutdown in 2024, ICQ's innovations and impact on digital communication continue to be felt today.

The digital landscape has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous technologies, but few have left as indelible a mark as ICQ. Launched in 1996 by the Israeli company Mirabilis, ICQ was a trailblazer in the realm of instant messaging, setting the stage for the myriad of communication platforms that followed. After 28 years of connecting people across the globe, ICQ has officially shut down, marking the end of an era.

ICQ, an acronym for "I Seek You," was developed by four young Israeli developers: Yair Goldfinger, Sefi Vigiser, Amnon Amir, and Arik Vardi. The idea was simple yet revolutionary: to create a platform that allowed real-time text communication over the internet. At a time when the internet was still in its infancy, ICQ's launch in November 1996 was nothing short of groundbreaking. The platform quickly gained traction, thanks to its user-friendly interface and the novelty of instant messaging.

Rapid Growth and Acquisition

ICQ's popularity soared, and by 1998, it had caught the attention of America Online (AOL). AOL acquired Mirabilis for $287 million, with additional performance-based payments that brought the total value of the deal to over $400 million. This acquisition was a testament to ICQ's potential and its growing user base, which had reached millions by the turn of the millennium.

At its peak in 2001, ICQ boasted over 100 million registered users, making it one of the most popular instant messaging platforms of its time. The platform's unique User Identification Number (UIN) system allowed users to connect with friends and family easily, fostering a sense of community and connectivity that was unparalleled.

Evolution and Competition

Despite its early success, ICQ faced stiff competition from other emerging messaging platforms like AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, and MSN Messenger. These competitors offered similar functionalities and gradually eroded ICQ's market share, particularly in the United States and Western Europe.

In 2010, AOL sold ICQ to the Russian investment firm Digital Sky Technologies (later known as Mail.ru Group and now VK) for $187.5 million. Under VK's ownership, ICQ underwent several transformations, including a shift towards mobile messaging and the introduction of new features like video calls, stickers, and smart replies. Despite these efforts, ICQ struggled to regain its former glory, with its user base dwindling to around 11 million monthly users by 2022.

The Final Chapter

On May 24, 2024, ICQ announced on its website that the service would be shutting down on June 26, 2024. The announcement marked the end of a remarkable journey that spanned nearly three decades. The shutdown was attributed to the platform's declining user base and the increasing dominance of other messaging services like WhatsApp, Telegram, and VK's own messenger.

In a statement, VK encouraged ICQ users to transition to its other messaging services, acknowledging the significant role ICQ had played in the evolution of digital communication. "ICQ was a pioneer in the world of instant messaging, and its legacy will live on through the countless connections it helped forge," the statement read.

Legacy and Impact

ICQ's impact on the world of digital communication cannot be overstated. It was one of the first platforms to offer features like multi-user chat, offline messaging, and resumable file transfers, many of which have become standard in modern messaging apps. ICQ also played a crucial role in popularizing the concept of instant messaging, paving the way for the development of social media and other communication technologies.

For many users, ICQ was more than just a messaging platform; it was a cultural phenomenon. The distinctive "Uh-oh!" notification sound, the excitement of receiving a new message, and the nostalgia of remembering one's UIN are memories that will resonate with millions of people worldwide.

The shutdown of ICQ marks the end of an era in digital communication. While the platform may no longer be active, its legacy will continue to influence the way we connect and communicate in the digital age. As we bid farewell to ICQ, we remember it as a pioneer that brought people closer together and changed the way we interact online.


United States
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 6, 2025 at 7:30:00 PM

Trump economic volatility is breaking the global trust flywheel

Six months into Donald Trump’s second term, the US economic engine isn’t just misfiring—it’s rattling the frame of global market trust. The data...

Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 6, 2025 at 7:00:00 PM

Lady Gaga’s concert gave Singapore’s economy a boost

In the cool hum of a Singapore evening, the National Stadium came alive—not just with sound, but with sequins, silver boots, and face...

Middle East
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 6, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

A new Palestinian offer for peace — And why Israel is likely to ignore it

In early July 2025, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas quietly floated a renewed peace proposal to Israel via Arab League intermediaries. The offer,...

Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 6, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

Rivals no more? Why Hong Kong and Singapore are learning from each other

For decades, Hong Kong and Singapore have been pitted against each other in global rankings: one the East-meets-West capital of finance, the other...

United States
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 5, 2025 at 1:00:00 PM

How the US could undermine its own currency—and why it matters globally

I’m a journalist. I’m trained to remain detached, especially when writing about politics. But the past few months have tested that commitment—because when...

Singapore
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 5, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM

Singapore residential real estate market value 2024 rises to 26th globally

Singapore’s rise to 26th place in global residential real estate value, up four spots from 2019, is more than a point of national...

Image Credits: Unsplash
July 5, 2025 at 1:00:00 AM

How the economic impact of tariffs breaks business models at scale

Tariffs aren’t just about politics. They’re not just headlines in trade disputes or talking points in election campaigns. For anyone building or scaling...

Image Credits: Unsplash
July 5, 2025 at 12:30:00 AM

The Middle Ages are back—and so is feudal power

History rarely repeats exactly—but sometimes it rhymes with eerie precision. Today, across multiple political systems and cultural contexts, the scaffolding of 21st-century governance...

Malaysia
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 5, 2025 at 12:30:00 AM

What matters isn’t their race—it’s whether they serve the country with integrity

A Malaysian Chinese military officer was recently promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general—a three-star general position that marks the uppermost tier of command...

United States
Image Credits: Unsplash
July 4, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM

Trump’s all-front offensive risks becoming his greatest vulnerability

Six months into his return to power, Donald Trump has already redefined what a modern presidency looks like—and not for the better. Where...

Image Credits: Unsplash
July 4, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM

UK first-time buyers shift focus to regional cities

The assumption that the pandemic would permanently reset Britain’s housing geography—from dense cities to tranquil coastlines—was premature. New data shows that first-time buyer...

Image Credits: Unsplash
July 4, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM

US lifts export curbs, boosting chip design software stocks

For a few turbulent weeks, the US semiconductor design industry was bracing for a blow. Export curbs announced in late May cut off...

Load More