ICQ to Shut Down After Nearly Three Decades

The pioneering instant messaging service will cease operations on June 26, marking the end of an era for early internet communication.

ICQ, launched in 1996, was one of the first major instant messaging platforms.
At its peak in 2001, ICQ had over 100 million users globally.
The service was acquired by AOL in 1998 and later sold to VK in 2010.
Despite updates and a dedicated user base, ICQ's popularity waned with the rise of social media apps.
Users are encouraged to migrate to VK Messenger before ICQ's final shutdown date.