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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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How It Works • Communication

Internet Relay Chat

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a text-based Internet communication protocol and chat system used for group conversations in channels and for private one-to-one messaging.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is a text-based chat protocol for group conversations and private messaging. It was created in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen in Finland.

What it is

IRC is an open protocol for real-time text communication over the Internet. It uses a client-server model, where users connect to servers with a client application and join named channels (often starting with #) or send private messages. Optional TLS encryption provides security.

How it works

Users run an IRC client to connect to an IRC server. The server relays messages to all participants in a channel. Channels are identified by names like #example. The system also supports one-to-one private messaging, file transfers, and data sharing. Communication runs over TCP, with optional TLS for encrypted sessions.

Key details

IRC was created in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen as a replacement for early chat systems. It became one of the first widely used real-time Internet chat systems. Its decentralized server network and lightweight design have made it influential among technical communities, open-source groups, and Canadian universities.

In short

  • IRC is a text-based chat protocol for group channels and private messages.
  • It uses a client-server model over TCP with optional TLS encryption.
  • Created in 1988 by Jarkko Oikarinen in Finland.
  • Still used by communities valuing lightweight, real-time chat.
Canadian angle

IRC has historically been used by Canadian universities, technical communities, and open-source groups, but there is no uniquely Canadian origin or Canada-specific definition in the provided sources.

Quick questions

What does IRC stand for?
IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat.
Who created IRC?
IRC was created by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988 in Finland.
What is IRC used for?
IRC is used for real-time text conversations, especially group chats in channels, and also for private messaging and file transfer.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRC
    Supports: Definition, channels, private messages, file transfer, client-server model.
  2. MDN Web Docs — https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Glossary/IRC
    Supports: Definition, client-server model, open protocol, TCP, channels.
  3. Network Encyclopedia — https://networkencyclopedia.com/internet-relay-chat-irc/
    Supports: Creation date, inventor, RFC reference, client-server model, TCP/TLS details.
  4. Daniel Stenberg — https://daniel.haxx.se/irchistory.html
    Supports: History of IRC creation at the University of Oulu in 1988.
  5. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
    Supports: General definition and TCP/TLS use.