Skype Officially Closes Down After 22 Years of Connecting the World

Following over two decades of revolutionizing digital communication, Microsoft announced today the official closure of Skype, the legendary voice and video calling platform. Founded in 2003, Skype was at the forefront of connecting the world and changing the way the globe communicates online.

Skype gained popularity in the early years by offering free voice calls over the internet, followed by video calling, instant messaging, and screen sharing features that turned into a must-use application for personal and business communication. The service reached its peak in the 2010s with hundreds of millions of users worldwide.

Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion and integrated the service across Windows and other platforms. Despite growing competition from newer, more mobile-first communications apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft’s own Teams, Skype remained a household name in digital communications for years.