Did you ever use ICQ (“I Seek You”) back in the day? The OG of instant messengers and a reason for everyone to check their computers one last time before bed, way back when? Chatting in real-time for free with friends? Bring it on.
ICQ was launched back in 1996 by Israel-based Mirabilis and at the time was one of the first instant messengers offering real-time communication on the internet, before others like AIM and MSN Messenger followed suit, for example. AOL Messenger, which came shortly after ICQ, shut down in 2017, after 20 years. At its height, ICQ had over 100 million active users, which was impressive considering the app spread through word of mouth.
The messaging app and its iconic “uh oh” notification sound eventually was acquired by Russia’s Mail.Ru in 2010, which then re-launched ICQ New based on its messenger app in 2020.
On Friday, the ICQ.com website posted a message saying, “ICQ will stop working from June 26,” followed by the message, “You can chat with friends in VK Messenger, and with colleagues in VK WorkSpace.”
There was no explanation as to why ICQ is shutting down next month, but ICQ on X has teased posts from the original Terminator movie and its sequel, Judgement Day. One is from the final scene of the second movie and another is the famous line from the 1984 original, “I’ll be back”. Who knows if there will be a comeback in the form of new software or not?
What was neat about ICQ was everyone was assigned a sequential account number. I still remember my 7-digit account number to this very day.
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Yup, I remember mine too (it had 8 digits, although I have a friend who had a 6 digit one). Didn’t realize it was associated with Israel though 🤮
I had a 7 digit number starting with 443. Lots of good memories!
Wow..ICQ..that brings back memories..haha
ICQ! I still remember I had a 6 digits account number. It was way ahead of its time in term of communication program. One of the best memories. Everyone was positive and friendly on the internet at that time.
I had a friend with 4 digits. I was so jealous. He ended up dying from his heart bleeding out into his body and the first think I thought about was his ICQ number.
Wow. I thought it already shut down. Is MiRC still around?
ICQ was awesome. It was the first platform where we could SMS to another user’s cell phone in another country. It was way ahead of it’s time.
MiRC is an IRC client. It’s simply a program that lets you connect to any number of IRC clients so I imagine it is still around. I think I actually paid for it like a year ago.
MiRC is still around. There's a browser version so you don't have to pay Mardham Bey $20.
ICQ was way ahead of its time. I remember when MSN came aout, everyone didn’t want to switch, but we’re “forced” because all the facility and other friends who didn’t had internet on the ICQ era never knew it.
With ICQ you could chat live and see the other person typing live. It was very cool for the time. And the program was really customizable. I remember everyone waiting for ICQ 99 because it was the first version that let us do customize. Really great memories, probably my best moments on the internet in my life for chatting with other people.
I still know my ICQ number – talk about wasted brain space.
Definitely use the UH OH as my text notification.