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

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

History

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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

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References

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  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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