Skype to be shut down after two decades

Skype, the widely used video conferencing platform that has been a major communication tool for nearly two decades, will be discontinued starting in May. CNN reported this on Friday (February 28), citing an announcement from Microsoft's official X account.

Skype was launched in Estonia in 2003 and quickly became one of the world's most popular communication platforms, thanks to its affordable and easy international calling service. In 2005, eBay acquired Skype for $2.6 billion, but the partnership was unsuccessful. In 2009, eBay sold 65% of its shares for $1.9 billion. Later, in 2011, Microsoft purchased Skype for $8.5 billion, making it one of the company's largest acquisitions.

Over the years, Microsoft introduced various updates to Skype’s design and features. While it saw a rise in popularity during the pandemic, its usage has declined in recent years. Microsoft has now integrated Skype’s services and features into Microsoft Teams, where it has invested significantly.

Microsoft President Jeff Teper stated in a blog post, "Skype was instrumental in shaping modern communication. However, our focus has now shifted toward new opportunities, particularly with Microsoft Teams."

As Skype, a key communication platform for nearly two decades, shuts down, it marks the end of an era.