Founded in 2009, Omegle served as a controversial chat service that allowed randomly matched people to chat via video or text. But unexpectedly after 14 years, Omegle is shutting down as the founder admits that the service was used by some to “commit unspeakably heinous crimes.”
Founder Leif K-Brooks launched Omegle when he was just 18 years old initially as a platform to help meet new people, something that K-Brooks calls a basic human need. While the founder did not specify exactly why Omegle is shutting down, he did admit that “some people misused [the service], including to commit unspeakably heinous crimes.” In past years, many have raised concerns regarding the safety of minors on the website.
In his farewell note, Leif K-Brooks shared that he has been actively working with law enforcement agencies and “the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to help put evildoers in prison where they belong.” Noting his “existing stress and expense of operating Omegle, and fighting its misuse” to be weighing heavily on him financially and psychologically. Adding, “Frankly, I don’t want to have a heart attack in my 30s.”
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