Skype admits software bug sending messages to wrong contacts

Skype has confirmed it is aware of a software bug that is sending users' messages to unintended contacts and is working to fix the issue.

News of the bug broke via the company's support forum where a small number of users reported messages being sent to the wrong contact.

Skype subsequently confirmed it was aware of the bug and would release a fix in the next few days in a statement sent to V3 on Monday.

"We are aware in rare circumstances IM's between two contacts could be sent to an unintended third contact," the firm said.

"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."

The bug reportedly emerged just after a Skype update in June and resutls in instant messages being unintentionally forwarded to random people in users' contact list.

Despite only affecting a small proportion of Skype customers, the bug's appearance has caused a backlash against the company.

"Entire conversation I had in the morning was sent to a wrong contact. This is it, I'm out," wrote one customer on the company forum.

"[M]essages from one of my contacts went to another, as being sent by me. Very awkward and slightly embarrassing," said another.

Skype has not disclosed what factors are causing the bug, leaving it open ended what the root cause of the problem may be.

Skype is now owned by Microsoft after the firm paid $8.5bn for the video conferencing and VoIP company.