czat

Czat, in Polish, refers to real-time text-based communication between two or more participants over the Internet. It encompasses one-to-one instant messaging, group chats, and chat rooms. Czat services are delivered through dedicated applications, web interfaces, or embedded widgets in websites and social networks.

Most czats operate using a client-server model, with messages transmitted via protocols such as IRC, XMPP, or proprietary systems, often over TLS to protect privacy. Modern czat platforms support features such as presence indicators, read receipts, message history, file transfers, emojis, multimedia sharing, and automation via chatbots. Moderation tools are commonly used to manage abuse and comply with platform policies.

Historically, online chat emerged in multi-user environments and grew with the rise of the Internet; the term czat gained prominence in Polish-language contexts as messaging became widespread during the 1990s and 2000s. Today czat is common in consumer messaging apps, professional collaboration tools, customer-support windows on websites, and social networks. Privacy and data retention practices vary by provider and jurisdiction, and users should review terms and settings to understand what is stored and who can access it.