Microsoft is Shutting Down Skype After Over Two Decades
Microsoft will retire Skype on May 5, 2023, after two decades of service. The decision aims to streamline its communication offerings and focus on the Teams platform, which has gained popularity, especially during the pandemic. Skype, once a leader in online communication, struggled to compete with newer, more user-friendly services like Zoom and Slack.
Founded in 2003, Skype revolutionized internet calling but saw a significant decline in users, dropping from 150 million in 2011 to around 23 million by 2020. Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011 but faced challenges integrating it into its suite of tools, leading to the prioritization of Teams since its launch in 2017.
To assist users in transitioning, Microsoft will allow them to log into Teams for free using their existing Skype credentials, with automatic migration of chats and contacts. Despite the shutdown, Microsoft stated there would be no job cuts related to this decision.