The chatroulette glossary
A chatroulette is a webcam platform that randomly connects two strangers on video. This glossary defines every useful term to understand online webcam encounters.
- Chatroulette
- A video chat service that randomly connects two strangers by webcam. You move from one person to the next with a single click.
- Cam to cam
- A webcam chat where both participants turn on their camera and see each other live.
- Random chat
- Being connected at random with strangers, without choosing who you talk to.
- Webcam
- A camera connected to a computer or smartphone enabling video calls and live video encounters.
- Chat
- An online conversation, written or video, usually in real time, between several people.
- Video call
- Live video communication between two or more people.
- Anonymity
- The ability to chat without revealing your identity. On Camyster, no sign-up or personal data is required.
- Moderation
- The rules and controls that keep exchanges respectful and safe for adult users.
- Alternative
- A site equivalent to a well-known platform (Omegle, Bazoocam…) offering a similar service, often free and sign-up free.
- No sign-up
- Immediate access with no account: you turn on your webcam and chat right away, anonymously.
- Icebreaker
- A simple phrase or question to easily start a conversation with a stranger ("Hi, where are you from?").
- Sextortion
- Blackmail that threatens to release intimate images obtained online in order to extort money. Never give in, and report it.
- Reporting
- The act of flagging a user with inappropriate or illegal behavior to the moderation team.
- Troll
- Someone who tries to provoke or disrupt conversations for their own amusement. The "next" button is the best response.
- Ghosting
- Abruptly cutting off a conversation with no explanation. On a random chat, this is common and harmless.
- Matchmaking
- The mechanism that randomly connects two strangers to start a live video conversation.
- Screenshot
- A frozen image of the screen. The person you're chatting with can take one, so never show anything you wouldn't want shared.
- VPN
- A virtual private network that hides your IP address and location, often used for greater privacy.
- Avatar
- An image or nickname representing a user. On a chatroulette, the interaction happens mostly through live video.
- Latency / lag
- The delay between the image sent and the image received ("lag"). A good connection reduces it for a smooth exchange.