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Kik Messenger
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<p>Kik Messenger, commonly called Kik, is a <a href="/facts/Freeware/c8oGA9ju">freeware</a> <a href="/facts/Instant_messaging/8lwwDyjK">instant messaging</a> <a href="/facts/Mobile_app/r7vp6meo">mobile app</a> from the <a href="/facts/Canada/cWWFM8oc">Canadian</a> company Kik Interactive, available on <a href="/facts/IOS/mK5cggH5">iOS</a>, <a href="/facts/IPadOS/fClrmH7D">iPadOS</a>, <a href="/facts/VisionOS/2Igexrxe">visionOS</a>, and <a href="/facts/Android_(operating_system)/nNyHb0xz">Android</a> operating systems. </p><p>The application uses a <a href="/facts/Smartphone/cSIrBMWG">smartphone</a>'s internet connection to transmit and receive messages, photos, videos, sketches, mobile web pages, and other content after users register a username. </p><p>Kik is known for its features preserving users' anonymity, such as allowing users to register without the need to provide a telephone number or valid email address. However, the application does not employ <a href="/facts/End-to-end_encryption/e1MwRzEU">end-to-end encryption</a>, and the company also logs user <a href="/facts/IP_address/z9V22Sw9">IP addresses</a>, which could be used to determine the user's <a href="/facts/Internet_service_provider/dUacAxef">ISP</a> and approximate location. This information, as well as "reported" conversations, are regularly surrendered upon request by law enforcement organizations, sometimes without the need for a <a href="/facts/Court_order/4enNk4ul">court order</a>. </p><p>Kik was originally intended to be a music-sharing app before transitioning to messaging, briefly offering users the ability to send a limited number of <a href="/facts/SMS/kacRfW0X">SMS</a> text messages directly from the application. </p><p>During the first 15 days after Kik's re-release as a <a href="/facts/Messaging_apps/QL0oQqBa">messaging app</a>, over 1 million accounts were created. In May 2016, Kik Messenger announced that they had approximately 300 million registered users, and was used by approximately 40% of United States' teenagers. </p><p>Kik Messenger was acquired by Medialab Technology in October 2019. </p>