Microsoft announces Skype is shutting down

As per CNN, Microsoft has announced that Skype is shutting down. At one point, this online service was one of the best ways to stay connected in the mid 2000s.

Skype will no longer be available to use in May, with the company confirming this via an X post. However, Microsoft says your login information can be used on Microsoft Teams’ free tier instead.

The service’s shutdown was foreseen with fading popularity in recent years. After all, Skype had competition like Zoom and Google Meet during the pandemic. There have also been other alternatives prior like FaceTime and WhatsApp.

Skype was launched in 2003, making waves as a means to make free calls worldwide. This was notable since international calls at the time had a hefty price. With its popularity, eBay bought it in 2005 for USD 2.6 billion. However, eBay sold 65% of their stake to an investor group in 2009.

Microsoft bought Skype in May 2011 for USD 8.5 billion and was seen as their largest acquisition back then. The company also integrated the service into other products like Office and the Windows Phone operating system.