From a technical stand point, ICQ's network model is flawed. ICQ's servers keep track of users status, and distribute them to other users. This gives plenty of room for privacy problems, with many ways to get the status of a user without his/her approval. The server can't know if you want someone to know you're on-line or off-line, or your IP. This information should only be supplied by you, not by ICQ's servers.

But, aside from the privacy problems, ICQ works. It's probably the best communication software out there. I rarely have connection problems, and it's simple to use.

Recently ICQ is becoming bloated. They're adding tons of unnecessary features, bloating the package. Although, many of these features can be turned off, I wish they would stick to a single use(messaging) application, rather than trying to make it the miracle do-everything product.



Recommended: Yes