Overview

• ICQ, launched in 1996, was one of the first widely-used instant messaging platforms.
• The app, known for its distinctive 'uh-oh' notification sound, peaked with over 100 million users.
• Despite efforts to modernize, ICQ struggled to compete with newer, mobile-first messaging apps.
• Russian company VK, which acquired ICQ in 2010, is directing users to its VK Messenger platform.
• ICQ's closure marks the end of an era for early internet communication tools.