eSAFETY GUIDE

ICQ

12+
minimum age according to ICQ
12+ minimum age according to ICQ

What is ICQ?

ICQ-Chat was one of the first online instant messaging platforms in the world. Since its launch in the late 1990s as a chatroom and forum website, ICQ-Chat has expanded to include mobile and desktop applications such as ICQ.

ICQ is a cross-platform instant messaging app which lets you chat to other users through encrypted voice/video calling and a range of messaging functions. Features include: text, stickers, group chat, interest-based channels and live chats (previously known as chat rooms), ready-made text responses, chat bots, voice-to-text conversion, face filters, in-app photo/video editing functions and uncompressed content sharing. ICQ claims to work well even on low quality internet connections and will sync across multiple devices.

ICQ accounts are free to set up with an active mobile number. If you prefer not to share your phone number, you can use a nickname and link the app to your personal contact library. You can also search for other ICQ users anywhere in the world. 

ICQ supports content sharing from third party apps (IFTTT) so that material published on other platforms can be shared on ICQ.

Website: icq.com/mac/en

Apps: Apple iOS

Web: web.icq.com/

PC, Mac OSX, Linux: icq.com/mac/en

How do people use ICQ?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use instant messaging services like ICQ.

ICQ is used for: content sharing, encrypted, messaging/online chat, photo/video sharing, video calling and voice chat.

How can you report abuse, ask for content to be removed or block someone?

This link is provided by ICQ:

How can you protect your personal information?

This link is provided by ICQ:

  • Privacy Policy
    Learn how the owner of ICQ (LLC Mail.Ru) collects, stores and shares your personal information. 

Key safety links

This link is provided by ICQ:

Last updated: 11/07/2024

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.