Tel Aviv, Israel – ICQ, once a dominant player in the messaging app industry during the 90s and early 2000s, is on the verge of shutting down, with just a month remaining before it bids farewell to its loyal users. The messaging app, known for its iconic “uh-oh!” notification sound, is set to cease operations on June 26, according to the information provided on its website.
The app, which was developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis, revolutionized the way individuals communicated online by offering a platform for one-on-one conversations at a time when group chats dominated the scene. Users were assigned unique identification numbers, with early adopters boasting shorter sequences, indicating their presence since the app’s inception.
Despite peaking in popularity in the early 2000s with 100 million registered accounts, ICQ eventually faced stiff competition from emerging messaging platforms like AIM, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger, causing its user base to dwindle over time. However, its nostalgic “uh-oh!” sound continues to hold a special place in the hearts of internet users who reminisce about the early era of online communication.
Following its acquisition by AOL and subsequent purchase by the Russian company Mail.Ru Group, now known as VK, ICQ’s legacy will live on through its successor VK Messenger for casual conversations and VK WorkSpace for professional use. The app’s closure marks the end of an era in the digital communication landscape, leaving behind a trail of memories for its devoted users.