Microsoft has announced that it is “retiring” the online messaging and calling service Skype in May. The US tech giant announced that the decision would allow it to concentrate on its modern online communication platform, Teams, which provides tools for virtual meetings, calls and chat.
Skype, first launched in 2003, was acquired by eBay in 2005 before being bought by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. Microsoft later integrated Skype as a replacement for its Windows Live Messenger service.
As of February 2023, Skype had 36 million daily users. However, at its peak, it was one of the most widely used platforms on the internet, dominating online video communication throughout the 2000s and early 2010s.
In recent years, Skype has been overtaken by Teams, Microsoft’s newer online collaboration platform, which saw a surge in popularity during the pandemic as remote work became widespread.
Announcing the shutdown in a blog post, Microsoft stated: “Skype has played a crucial role in shaping modern communication and facilitating countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of this journey.
“We recognise that change can be difficult, but we want to assure users that we are here to support them every step of the way.
“We’re excited about the new possibilities Teams offers and remain committed to keeping people connected in meaningful ways.”
Microsoft confirmed that in the coming days, Skype users will have the option to transition to Teams for free, with the ability to export their Skype data.
Skype will officially shut down on May 5.
