'Rare' Skype bug sends instant messages to random contacts

VOICE OVER IP (VoIP), chat and video service Skype has acknowledged a glitch that has accidentally sent users' messages to a random person on their contacts list, and has promised that a fix is on the way.

Uncovered on the Skype forum by a handful of customers, the bug has seen users' instant messages unintentionally forwarded to random people in their contact lists - a serious breach of privacy.

One user complained, "Messages sent by one contact (2 lines out of a hundred or so) were sent to another contact of mine. These 2 contacts are not connected on Skype. The 2 IMs appeared to be sent by me, so the other contact asked me if I sent them by mistake."

Another Skype user has been experiencing the same problem, saying, "I have the same problem; messages from one of my contacts went to another, as being sent by me. Very awkward and slightly embarrassing. I hope this issue gets fixed asap."

Skype is aware of the problem, and it told The INQUIRER that it is working on a fix. A spokesperson said, "We are aware that in rare circumstances IM's between two contacts could be sent to an unintended third contact.

"We are rolling out a fix for this issue in the next few days and will notify our users to download an updated version of Skype." µ