After 14 years, Omegle, a video chat website that pairs users with random strangers, is closing due to widespread abuse of the network, especially the sexual abuse of minors.
Leif K-Brooks, the founder of Omegle, commented on how the platform was supposed to “build on the things I loved about the Internet” and connect people globally in a lengthy letter announcing the site’s shutdown. However, he also mentioned that the platform had a negative aspect.
According to Brooks, “almost every tool can be used for good or for evil.”
“Omegle cannot be fairly described without admitting that some users abused it, sometimes even using it to commit horrifying crimes.”
Omegle has come under heavy fire over the years for allegedly turning into a haven for child abuse and pornography. According to court documents, the website shuts down approximately a week after Omegle settled a lawsuit alleging that the network matched an 11-year-old member with a sexual predator.
The lawsuit is a part of a lengthy series of related legal actions that Omegle has encountered. It was filed in an Oregon court in 2021. The BBC reports that over 50 cases involving pedophiles have referenced the platform in the past two years.
According to Brooks, “running Omegle is no longer sustainable, either financially or psychologically.” “I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has used Omegle for good and to everyone who has made any kind of contribution to the website’s success. I apologize for not being able to fight for you longer.
In 2009, Brooks, just eighteen years old, launched Omegle. Omegle has amassed millions of daily users over the years, and its video recordings are extensively shared on social media sites like TikTok and YouTube.
While Brooks’ comment was still present on the Omegle website as of Thursday morning, the platform’s online video chat feature had vanished.