Senior US law enforcement officials have objected to AOL's pending sale of
instant-messaging service ICQ to a Russian investment firm. Investigators at
federal agencies charged with scrutinising cybercrime are concerned about the
USD 187.5 million acquisition of ICQ by Moscow-based Digital Sky Technologies,
the Financial Times writes. ICQ is the leading instant messaging service in
Russia, Germany and the Czech Republic and, according to law enforcement
investigators, is one of the main avenues of communication for criminal groups
in eastern Europe, some of whom never meet in person.
