The digital world is about to lose one of its pioneering instant messaging services. ICQ, which was launched in November 1996 by Israeli company Mirabilis, is set to shut down on June 26, 2024. This iconic service, recognized for its unique user identification numbers and real-time chat capabilities, has been a part of Internet history for nearly 28 years.
ICQ gained immense popularity in its early years, reaching over 100 million registered users at its peak in 2001. Unlike other early messaging platforms such as AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger, ICQ assigned users a distinctive number for connecting with others, a feature that set it apart from the crowd. It also introduced innovative features like SMS messaging and the ability to send messages to offline users, along with the memorable "Uh oh!" alert sound that notified users of incoming messages.
In 1998, AOL acquired Mirabilis for $407 million, further boosting ICQ's growth. However, the service changed hands multiple times over the years. In 2010, it was sold to Russian company Digital Sky Technologies, now known as VK. Under VK's ownership, ICQ transitioned into a mobile-focused messaging app, striving to compete with modern giants like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Despite these efforts, ICQ's user base has steadily declined, overshadowed by newer and more versatile messaging platforms. On May 24, 2024, VK announced that ICQ would cease operations on June 26, 2024, and encouraged users to switch to its other chat solutions, VK Messenger and VK WorkSpace.
The shutdown of ICQ marks the end of an era for a service that played a significant role in the evolution of digital communication. While its user numbers may have dwindled in recent years, ICQ remains a nostalgic memory for many who experienced the dawn of instant messaging. The distinctive "Uh oh!" alert and the unique user numbers are iconic relics of a bygone internet era. As we bid farewell to ICQ, we remember its contribution to shaping the landscape of modern chat applications and the fond memories it leaves behind.