Voice and video platform, Skype, is shutting down today after nearly 22 years of existence.
Microsoft announced on February 28, 2025 that it would retire Skype on May 5 to streamline its services and prioritise Teams, their new platform for communication and collaboration.
Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011. At the time of acquisition, the organisation stated that it planned to make Skype a central part of its communications strategy.
Stiff competition from platforms like WhatsApp and Zoom made skype irrelevant making Microsoft Teams to gain traction.
Skype was launched in 2003 and quickly became a revolutionary tool for free voice and video calls over the internet, amassing more than 300 million monthly users at its peak in the mid-2010s.
The shutdown will impact both free and paid Skype users, although Skype for Business will continue temporarily.
Microsoft has urged users to transition to Teams by visiting skype.com and utilising the “Start using Teams” feature. All Skype chats and contacts will remain accessible through Teams using the same login credentials.