Omegle’s founder Brooks Leif K-Brooks, cited the rampant misuse of the platform by pedophiles and other criminals as a major factor in the decision to shut it down.
Omegle, a widely used video chat website that allows users to connect randomly with strangers, ceased operations on November 8, 2023. The closure was announced by founder Leif K-Brooks, who said that operating the website was “no longer sustainable, financially nor psychologically.”
Brooks cited the rampant misuse of the platform by paedophiles and other criminals as a major factor in the decision to shut it down. In recent years, Omegle has been mentioned in more than 50 cases (1 & 2) against paedophiles, and the site has been criticized by child protection organizations for its lack of safety features.
Brooks also said that the stress and expense of fighting the misuse of Omegle was too much to bear. “Frankly, I don’t want to have a heart attack in my 30s,” he said in a statement on the website.
At the time of closure, according to Help Mama, Omegle had a user base of 235 million active users on a weekly basis. The platform maintained a strong daily presence, with 3.35 million users engaging actively each day.
Breaking down the numbers further, Omegle sustained hourly traffic of 139,880 active users, drawing in a consistent stream of 2,331 users every minute. The platform’s appeal was evident in its rapid growth, welcoming 39 new visitors every second.
Geographically, a significant portion of Omegle’s user demographic hailed from the United States, constituting 29.93% of the total user base. These statistics highlight the widespread and continuous engagement that Omegle enjoys on a global scale.
However, the closure of Omegle is a loss for many people who used the platform to connect with new friends and strangers from all over the world. The platform also played a vital role in YouTube and TikTok prank culture. Yet, it is also a reminder of the dangers of online anonymity and the challenges of keeping online platforms safe for users.
Alternatives to Omegle include Chatroulette, Chatrandom, and Tinychat. These platforms offer similar features to Omegle, but they have also been criticized for their lack of safety features. Users should be cautious when using any online platform that allows them to connect with strangers.
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