Microsoft is shutting down Skype, the internet calling and messaging app it acquired 14 years ago. The service will go offline on May 5, when Microsoft replaces it with a free version of Microsoft Teams. Skype has been integral in shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments. We are honored to have been part of the journey,” said Jeff Teper, Microsoft’s president of collaborative apps and platforms.
Microsoft will not lay off any employees who worked on Skype. Users can transfer old account data, including chats and contacts, to their new Teams account. Nordic entrepreneurs founded Skype and first released in 2003.
eBay acquired it in 2005 for $2.6 billion, before Microsoft bought it in 2011 for $8.5 billion, its largest acquisition.
Microsoft transitions Skype to Teams
At its peak around 2016, Skype had millions of users.
However, its popularity waned over the years as rival messaging platforms like WhatsApp and professional workplace apps like Slack gained traction. As of 2023, Skype had a fraction of its former user base. Microsoft debuted Teams in 2016 and has grown it into one of the industry’s most popular workplace platforms, with over 320 million users.
The company said it would phase out Skype for Business in 2017 to focus on Teams. Skype users who had paid for credits will still have access to them until the next renewal period. The Skype Dial Pad will be available to paid users within Teams even after the platform shuts down in May.
Image Credits: Photo by Mati Flo on Unsplash
Cameron is a highly regarded contributor in the rapidly evolving fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. His articles delve into the theoretical underpinnings of AI, the practical applications of machine learning across industries, ethical considerations of autonomous systems, and the societal impacts of these disruptive technologies.
