ICQ

What is ICQ?

The instant messaging application ICQ has a rich and storied history, tracing its origins back to the earliest days of the internet. Developed in 1996 by the Israeli company Mirabilis, ICQ was one of the pioneering chat platforms, predating even the ubiquitous AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Over the years, the application has changed hands, with AOL acquiring Mirabilis in 1998 and the Russian tech conglomerate mail.ru group later purchasing the service. Despite these ownership shifts, ICQ has endured, adapting and evolving to remain a relevant and accessible messaging tool. Today, ICQ boasts a comprehensive multi-platform presence, offering versions for web, desktop, mobile devices, and even legacy WAP-enabled phones, ensuring users can stay connected regardless of their preferred device or operating system

Highlights

• Multi-platform availability (web, desktop, mobile, WAP)
• One of the earliest instant messaging applications, predating AIM
• Ownership history spanning Mirabilis, AOL, and mail.ru group
• Continuous adaptation and redesign to maintain relevance