Skype will shut down in May

Microsoft is closing down Skype, the video-calling service it bought for $8.5 billion in 2011, which had helped spark a transformation in how people communicate online.

The service, which allowed free computer-to-computer calls globally, played a significant role in popularising online voice communication. Though not the first to offer such services, Skype’s accessibility made it one of the world’s most popular platforms.

In a post on X, Skype informed users they could continue their conversations by signing into Microsoft Teams with their existing accounts. Microsoft has yet to issue a separate statement on the matter when contacted by BBC News.

First launched in 2003, Skype was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5bn (£6.1bn), its largest acquisition at the time. The platform was later integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Xbox and Windows devices.

At its peak, Skype was regarded as a key application of the modern internet. Tech analyst Om Malik highlighted its significance in 2010 when a two-day global outage disrupted communications worldwide.

Following the announcement of Skype’s closure, long-time users shared their reactions. One person reflected, “My best friend and I share many good memories on Skype. This is a sad day and almost a feeling of losing yet another fragment of my adolescence.” Another user, Louise, recalled how she and her partner relied on Skype during their long-distance relationship, describing it as an “exciting invention” before smartphones and WhatsApp calls became mainstream.

Source: Agencies

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour