Internet Relay Chat

chat service

Also known as: IRC

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a service that enables users to communicate in real time. Introduced in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen, IRC was designed to facilitate communication among people with similar interests. It operates on a client-server model, where a client connects to a server to join a channel and interact with other users.1

IRC played a significant role in disseminating information, notably during the Persian Gulf War and even serving as a sole conduit for information exiting the Soviet Union during a media blackout. Over time, IRC evolved into numerous networks, with hundreds existing by the early 2020s. While modern instant messaging services offer similar real-time communication, IRC's foundational principles continue to guide many online chat spaces.1

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instant messaging
…also saw the introduction of Internet Relay Chat (IRC) software for group conversations, and by the mid-1990s other IM software, such as ICQ (or “I Seek You”) for non-AOL Internet users, also became available.
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…also saw the introduction of Internet Relay Chat (IRC) software for group conversations, and by the mid-1990s other IM software, such as ICQ (or “I Seek You”) for non-AOL Internet users, also became available.
Read More