Created by 18-year-old Lief K. Brooks and launched in 2009, Omegle is an app that lets netizens chat with each other without an account — or any content moderation. The app is popular for its level of anonymity and its random nature, whereby algorithms assign two strangers to chat with — while a spy mode allows a third to eavesdrop.

Is Omegle Safe?

Overall, not exactly (though this is up to users). Omegle itself acknowledges the potential for risk with its “all ages” version and an “adult” version. In the latter, adults can exchange sexual images without violating the terms of service. In theory this can’t be done in the “all ages” version, but it’s not foolproof. The filtering system cannot catch all inappropriate content — and reports of sexual predation continue.

Aside from sexually explicit material and predation, Omegle has also been known to be venue for blackmail attempts — while privacy is a concern too as chat data is stored for four months. Lastly, users of Omegle have been the victims of hacks, which does not encourage much confidence in its data security.

Why Do People Get Banned from Omegle?

It doesn’t take much for Omegle to ban you. Reasons have included:

• You have been “dropped” excessively
  Omegle lets you “drop” (hang-up) a chat. Omegle might enact a ban if this happens a lot to you, the assumption being that you have been harassing users.

• You drop too many people
  Conversely, you might get banned if you yourself “drop” excessively, the assumption being that you are difficult to get on with.

• Someone reports you
  You might also get banned if another user reports you for inappropriate behavior.

• Violating Omegle terms of service
  If you are deemed to be in violation, you will be banned. Examples include:
  • Posting adult content in the “all ages” area;
  • Abuse and/or racism
  • Use of copyrighted content
  • Posting of spam

How Can I Get Unbanned from Omegle?

There are a few things you can do in response, for example:

• Waiting a few days
• Connect to a different internet network
• Consider using a proxy service
• You could try getting a new IP address

Really though, aside from just waiting, the other responses are just not worth the time and hassle. You would be much better investing in a good VPN service, which will circumvent such a ban in a matter of seconds.

How Trend Micro Can Help

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