Is Omegle Safe? Security Review
1/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Omegle was one of the most dangerous platforms for children on the internet. It shut down in 2023 after years of facilitating child exploitation. Copycat sites have emerged and should be equally avoided.
Omegle was a random video and text chat platform that paired strangers anonymously. It shut down in November 2023 after 14 years following a lawsuit and widespread documentation of child sexual exploitation on the platform.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 1/5 | |
| Privacy | 1/5 | |
| Track Record | 1/5 |
Security Features
- Essentially none. The platform's design was inherently unsafe.
- Minimal moderation for its massive scale
- Unmoderated section existed alongside 'moderated' section
Privacy Concerns
- Paired minors with random adults on video chat
- No age verification whatsoever
- IP addresses and chat logs were stored
- No account required, making accountability impossible
- Screen recording by other parties was common
Past Security Incidents
- 2023 lawsuit by woman abused as a child on Omegle led to the platform's shutdown
- Extensively documented use for child sexual exploitation by predators
- BBC investigation found explicit child abuse material generated on the platform
- Multiple law enforcement investigations globally
How to Stay Safe Using Omegle
- Do not use Omegle or any copycat random video chat sites
- Block these sites on your home network
- Educate children about the dangers of chatting with strangers on video
- Monitor for Omegle alternatives like Chatroulette or OmeTV
Safer Alternatives
- FaceTime or Zoom with people you know
- Discord video calls within trusted servers
Last updated: February 10, 2026