Why video chat service Omegle is shutting down after 14 years

TECH

Popular video chat service Omegle is shutting down after 14 years due to widespread misuse.

A lawsuit settlement saw Omegle accused of pairing an 11-year-old user with a sexual predator.

The platform underwent scrutiny for evolving into a hub for child pornography and abuse.

More than 50 cases against pedophiles have been reported in the last two years.

Omegle was deemed financially and psychologically unsustainable by founder Leif K-Brooks.

The founder thanked those who used Omegle positively and contributed to its success.

Despite the site's closure, recordings of Omegle videos have been widely shared on social media.

Leif K-Brooks, the programmer behind Omegle, is estimated to have a net worth of $5 million.

Omegle raked in an annual revenue of $216 million, with a weekly revenue of $4.5 million.

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