Skype, the video calling service that sparked a transformation in how people communicate online, will officially close on May 5. This comes after Microsoft announced that the video-calling platform is being retired and some of its services will be shifted to Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Skype
Microsoft has announced that it will shut down its video-calling platform, Skype, next week on May 5. Launched in 2003, Skype was among the most popular video-calling platforms in the last two decades, until the rise of WhatsApp and FaceTime for video calling, which increased competition, amid rapid advancements in communication technology.
Why is Skype being retired?
Microsoft, through an official blog post, confirmed that Skype is being retired as part of its broader strategy to streamline its other communication platforms and focus on Microsoft Teams. The company stated: “In order to streamline our free consumer communications offerings so we can more easily adapt to customer needs, we will be retiring Skype in May 2025 to focus on Microsoft Teams (free), our modern communications and collaboration hub.
