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{{short description|Video group chat service}}
{{Infobox software
{{Infobox software
| name = Paltalk Messenger
| name = Paltalk Messenger
Line 7: Line 8:
| ver layout = stacked
| ver layout = stacked
| latest release version <!-- List platforms that are still being officially developed by Libon --> = {{Multiple releases
| latest release version <!-- List platforms that are still being officially developed by Libon --> = {{Multiple releases
|branch1 = Android
| branch1 = Android
|version1 = 7.8.1.7852
| version1 = 9.2.1.0
|date1 = {{Start date and age|2019|10|02}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paltalk.chat.android&hl=en_US|title=Paltalk - Find Friends in Group Video Chat Rooms - Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref>
| date1 = {{Start date and age|2021|12|23}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paltalk.chat.android&hl=en_US|title=Paltalk - Find Friends in Group Video Chat Rooms - Apps on Google Play|website=play.google.com|language=en}}</ref>
|branch2 = iOS
| branch2 = iOS
|version2 = 7.7.2
| version2 = 8.4.2
|date2 = {{Start date and age|2019|09|25}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/id466970942|title=Paltalk - Group Video Chat App|website=App Store|language=en-us|access-date=2019-09-25}}</ref>
| date2 = {{Start date and age|2021|11|09}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apps.apple.com/app/id466970942|title=Paltalk - Group Video Chat App|website=App Store|date=2 August 2023 |language=en-us}}</ref>
}}
}}
⚫
| website = {{URL|https://www.paltalk.com}}
| alexa = {{Increase}} 23,697 ({{asof|2019|09|01|alt=September 2019}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/paltalk.com|title=Paltalk Competitive Analysis, Marketing Mix and Traffic - Alexa|website=www.alexa.com|access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>
⚫
| website = {{URL|https://www.paltalk.com/}}
}}
}}
'''Paltalk''' is a [[proprietary software|proprietary]] video group chat service that enables users to communicate via video, internet chat and voice.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://download.cnet.com/Paltalk-Messenger/3000-2150_4-10043373.html| title=CNET | work=Paltalk | accessdate=2013-07-01}}</ref> It offers [[chat rooms]] and the ability for users to create their own public virtual chat room. '''Paltalk Desktop''' is available on [[macOS]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], and '''Paltalk Video Chat App''' is available for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[iOS]]. While basic services are free of charge and basic software is free to download, fee-based memberships and paid upgrades to more capable paid versions are offered by AVM Software, the creators of Paltalk.


'''Paltalk''' is a [[proprietary software|proprietary]] video group chat service that enables users to communicate by video, Internet chat, or voice.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://download.cnet.com/Paltalk-Messenger/3000-2150_4-10043373.html| title=CNET | work=Paltalk | access-date=2013-07-01}}</ref>
Paltalk appears to be profitable and had 5.5 million unique users in 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/17/prism-paltalk/| title=PalTalk: It Was "Flattering" To Be Included In The PRISM Slidedeck | work=TechCrunch | accessdate=2013-08-06 | quote=PalTalk, a profitable group video chat site that’s been around for more than a decade and has about 5.5 million monthly uniques [...]}}</ref>


⚫
== History ==
An infographic created by Paltalk in 2015 revealed that they had surpassed 100 million users.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Brief History of Paltalk - The Rise to 100 Million Users|url=http://www.paltalk.com/blog/brief-history-paltalk-rise-100-million-users|website=Paltalk|accessdate=29 December 2017}}</ref>


In 2007, the [[Suicide of Kevin Whitrick|filmed suicide of one of the service's users]] was widely reported in the media. Concerns were raised over the possibility that it could [[copycat suicide|inspire further suicides]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Merritt |first=Brookes |date=2007-03-25 |title=Live hanging shown on web: Alberta suicide-prevention groups brace for copycat deaths |url=http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/03/25/3828482-sun.html#selection-767.0-777.58 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070328220732/http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/03/25/3828482-sun.html#selection-767.0-777.58 |archive-date=2007-03-28 |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=CNEWS}}</ref>
⚫
== Software ==
Paltalk's main application is "Paltalk Messenger" for PCs. They also offered PaltalkExpress, a free web-based [[Adobe Flash]] and [[Java (programming language)|Java]] [[application software|application]] which could be accessed via an [[Internet browser]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.paltalk.com/express/ | title=Try Paltalk Express - Access free chat rooms, IM and video chat | work=Paltalk | accessdate=2012-01-12}}</ref> As of December 22, 2016 this program has been discontinued due to its falling support and removal from [[Google Chrome]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.paltalk.com/blog/goodbye-paltalk-express | title=Goodbye Paltalk Express | work=Paltalk | accessdate=2017-03-09}}</ref>


⚫
Paltalk filed a series of patent lawsuits against [[video game]] developers claiming they were infringing U.S. patents 5,822,523 and 6,226,686 "Server-group messaging system for interactive applications", patents they purchased from the now-defunct company HearMe in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bray |first1=Hiawatha |date=16 September 2009 |title=Westwood-based video game maker named in patent infringement suit |url=http://archive.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/09/16/westwoods_turbine_inc_named_in_patent_infringement_lawsuit/ |access-date=29 December 2017 |newspaper=Boston.com}}</ref> Paltalk first brought a case against [[Microsoft]] in 2006, claiming [[Halo (video game)|Halo]] and [[Xbox Live]] violated its patent rights, and later settled out of court.<ref>{{cite news |date=2009-03-12 |title=Microsoft settles lawsuit over Xbox |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Microsoft-settles-lawsuit-over-Xbox-1302404.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>
Paltalk has native apps available for Android and iOS which allow users to publish webcam, audio chat, and text chat groups or in private sessions.


⚫
In 2009, Paltalk then moved on to [[Sony]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[NCsoft]], [[Jagex]] and [[Turbine, Inc.]], claiming that these companies are also violating Paltalk's patents whose damages range in the "tens of millions of dollars".<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Michael |date=2009-09-17 |title=Multiple MMO developers/publishers named in patent suit |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/09/multiple-mmo-developerspublishers-named-in-patent-suit.ars |access-date=2012-01-12 |work=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Decker |first=Susan |date=2009-09-14 |title=Sony, Activision Blizzard Sued Over Online Games (Update1) |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=SNE:US&sid=aAhAaaSzKQIA |access-date=2012-01-12 |work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]]}}</ref> In 2010, a US judge dismissed the lawsuit against Jagex and stated "After reviewing source code for the [[RuneScape]] video game made available by Jagex, Paltalk and Jagex agree that the RuneScape video game does not infringe the patents-in-suit."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Graft |first1=Kris |date=17 November 2010 |title=UK-Based RuneScape Dev Jagex Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuit |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/122214/UKBased_RuneScape_Dev_Jagex_Wins_Patent_Infringement_Lawsuit.php |access-date=29 December 2017 |website=Gamasutra}}</ref>
Both the mobile and desktop versions of Paltalk allow users to create chat rooms where they can text, voice, and video chat. These chat rooms can host hundreds and in some cases many thousands of chatters in one conversion. Paltalk users can also have private video chat sessions with up to 15 other users.


⚫
In June 2013, it was revealed that Paltalk was targeted by the [[National Security Agency]]'s [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] surveillance program.<ref name="usa1">{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Michael |title=Reports: NSA siphons data from 9 major Net firms |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/06/06/nsa-surveillance-internet-companies/2398345/ |access-date=12 June 2013 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="Lobosco">{{cite news |last=Lobosco |first=Kate |title=Google ... Facebook ... Paltalk?! |url=https://money.cnn.com/2013/06/07/technology/security/paltalk-nsa-surveillance/?hpt=hp_t2 |publisher=[[CNN Money]] |access-date=12 June 2013 |date=7 June 2013}}</ref>
== Awards and recognition ==

* 2007: AlwaysOn 100 top Companies<ref>http://blog.paltalk.com/paltalkawards/2007/07/alwayson.html</ref>
* 2007: NET Editor's pick<ref>http://blog.paltalk.com/paltalkawards/2007/05/cnet-editors-pick.html</ref>
* 2005: The Pulver 100<ref>http://blog.paltalk.com/paltalkawards/2005/11/the-2005-pulver100.html</ref>

== Patent protection ==
⚫
Paltalk filed a series of patent lawsuits against [[video game]] developers claiming they were infringing U.S. patents 5,822,523 and 6,226,686 "Server-group messaging system for interactive applications", patents they purchased from the now-defunct company HearMe in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bray|first1=Hiawatha|title=Westwood-based video game maker named in patent infringement suit|url=http://archive.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/09/16/westwoods_turbine_inc_named_in_patent_infringement_lawsuit/|accessdate=29 December 2017}}</ref> Paltalk first brought a case against [[Microsoft]] in 2006, claiming [[Halo (video game)|Halo]] and [[Xbox Live]] violated its patent rights, and later settled out of court.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Microsoft-settles-lawsuit-over-Xbox-1302404.php | work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer | title=Microsoft settles lawsuit over Xbox | date=2009-03-12}}</ref>

⚫
In 2009, Paltalk then moved on to [[Sony]], [[Activision Blizzard]], [[NCsoft]], [[Jagex]] and [[Turbine, Inc.]], claiming that these companies are also violating Paltalk's patents whose damages range in the "tens of millions of dollars".<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Michael |title=Multiple MMO developers/publishers named in patent suit |work=[[Ars Technica]] |date=2009-09-17 |url= https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/09/multiple-mmo-developerspublishers-named-in-patent-suit.ars |accessdate=2012-01-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Decker |first=Susan |title=Sony, Activision Blizzard Sued Over Online Games (Update1) |work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |date=2009-09-14 |url=
https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=conewsstory&tkr=SNE:US&sid=aAhAaaSzKQIA |accessdate=2012-01-12}}</ref> In 2010, a US judge dismissed the lawsuit against Jagex and stated "After reviewing source code for the [[RuneScape]] video game made available by Jagex, Paltalk and Jagex agree that the RuneScape video game does not infringe the patents-in-suit."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Graft|first1=Kris|title=UK-Based RuneScape Dev Jagex Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuit|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/122214/UKBased_RuneScape_Dev_Jagex_Wins_Patent_Infringement_Lawsuit.php|website=Gamasutra|accessdate=29 December 2017}}</ref>

== Controversy ==
⚫
In June 2013, it was revealed that Paltalk was targeted by the [[National Security Agency]]'s [[PRISM (surveillance program)|PRISM]] surveillance program. All Paltalk communications (video, phone calls, and chats) will be recorded, stored indefinitely, and evaluated by the NSA.<ref name=usa1>{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Michael |title=Reports: NSA siphons data from 9 major Net firms |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2013/06/06/nsa-surveillance-internet-companies/2398345/ |accessdate=12 June 2013 |work=[[USA Today]] |date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=Lobosco>{{cite news |last=Lobosco |first=Kate |title=Google ... Facebook ... Paltalk?! |url=http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/07/technology/security/paltalk-nsa-surveillance/?hpt=hp_t2 |publisher=[[CNN Money]] |accessdate=12 June 2013 |date=7 June 2013}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 53: Line 38:


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://www.paltalk.com/ Paltalk.com]
*{{official site|Paltalk.com}}


[[Category:Online chat]]
[[Category:Online chat]]

Revision as of 04:22, 7 December 2024

Paltalk Messenger
Developer(s)AVM Software
Initial releaseJune 1998; 26 years ago (1998-06)
Stable release(s)
Android9.2.1.0 / December 23, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-12-23)[1]
iOS8.4.2 / November 9, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-11-09)[2]
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.paltalk.com

Paltalk is a proprietary video group chat service that enables users to communicate by video, Internet chat, or voice.[3]

History

In 2007, the filmed suicide of one of the service's users was widely reported in the media. Concerns were raised over the possibility that it could inspire further suicides.[4]

Paltalk filed a series of patent lawsuits against video game developers claiming they were infringing U.S. patents 5,822,523 and 6,226,686 "Server-group messaging system for interactive applications", patents they purchased from the now-defunct company HearMe in 2002.[5] Paltalk first brought a case against Microsoft in 2006, claiming Halo and Xbox Live violated its patent rights, and later settled out of court.[6]

In 2009, Paltalk then moved on to Sony, Activision Blizzard, NCsoft, Jagex and Turbine, Inc., claiming that these companies are also violating Paltalk's patents whose damages range in the "tens of millions of dollars".[7][8] In 2010, a US judge dismissed the lawsuit against Jagex and stated "After reviewing source code for the RuneScape video game made available by Jagex, Paltalk and Jagex agree that the RuneScape video game does not infringe the patents-in-suit."[9]

In June 2013, it was revealed that Paltalk was targeted by the National Security Agency's PRISM surveillance program.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Paltalk - Find Friends in Group Video Chat Rooms - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com.
  2. ^ "Paltalk - Group Video Chat App". App Store. 2 August 2023.
  3. ^ "CNET". Paltalk. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  4. ^ Merritt, Brookes (2007-03-25). "Live hanging shown on web: Alberta suicide-prevention groups brace for copycat deaths". CNEWS. Archived from the original on 2007-03-28. Retrieved 2023-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ Bray, Hiawatha (16 September 2009). "Westwood-based video game maker named in patent infringement suit". Boston.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Microsoft settles lawsuit over Xbox". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 2009-03-12.
  7. ^ Thompson, Michael (2009-09-17). "Multiple MMO developers/publishers named in patent suit". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  8. ^ Decker, Susan (2009-09-14). "Sony, Activision Blizzard Sued Over Online Games (Update1)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  9. ^ Graft, Kris (17 November 2010). "UK-Based RuneScape Dev Jagex Wins Patent Infringement Lawsuit". Gamasutra. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  10. ^ Winter, Michael (6 June 2013). "Reports: NSA siphons data from 9 major Net firms". USA Today. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  11. ^ Lobosco, Kate (7 June 2013). "Google ... Facebook ... Paltalk?!". CNN Money. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
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