14 Years of Omegle: Founder’s Farewell Message
Omegle, the popular video chat platform that randomly connects people online, is shutting down after 14 years. The decision was made by the creator of Omegle, Leif-K Brooks, because of the stress and cost involved in using it and fighting abuse.
Omegle was launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the most popular chat platforms in the world. The site allowed users to connect with strangers from around the world and chat via video or text.
The site became popular in India during the pandemic, apart from the US, Mexico and the UK.
“As much as I wish the circumstances were different, the stress and cost of this fight. Coupled with the current stress and expense of running Omegle and fighting its abuse – it’s simply too much. Frankly, I don’t want to have a heart attack in my 30s,” Brooks said on his blog.
Brooks believes the site has been unfairly targeted by people who want to eliminate all forms of online communication because of the actions of a few malicious users. He argues that this is an overreaction and that it is important to protect people’s right to meet and connect with strangers online.
K-Brooks said in a blog post that over the years, people have used Omegle to explore foreign cultures, get advice about their lives from unbiased third parties, and ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. However, he said that the battle for Omegle is lost, but the war against the Internet continues.
According to a BBC investigation, the website “may link users to adult material even more often”. The website had been alerted by schools and law enforcement in several countries.
The site allowed users to engage in anonymous one-on-one video calls and text chats without the hassle of signing up or signing up.
