Microsoft Kills Skype: 5 Things You Should Know
Microsoft is preparing to retire Skype, a communication platform that once reigned supreme in the pre-smartphone era. Originally acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion, Skype’s popularity declined as users migrated to Zoom during the global pandemic and, later, to Microsoft Teams, the default communications app for Windows 11, rendering Skype obsolete.
Now, Skype’s days are numbered. Microsoft has announced the platform will cease operations on May 5, 2025. As the service fades into internet history, here are five key facts about the pioneering video calling tool.
1. Skype Offered Free Communication Before WhatsApp
A major draw of Skype was its ability to facilitate free voice and video calls between users worldwide. This functionality relied on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, which, unlike traditional phone services, uses existing internet connections eliminating the need for a dedicated network of cables. Skype also leveraged decentralized, peer-to-peer (p2p) networks. It additionally featured instant messaging.
While Skype-to-Skype calls were free, the platform charged a monthly subscription fee for its Skype phone service. Paying this fee allowed users to call landlines and mobile numbers at local rates, which could be answered from anywhere in the world via Skype. However, it was not possible to call emergency services using Skype Numbers. Microsoft stopped selling Skype number credits in December 2024.
2. Skype Pioneered End-to-End Encryption Early
Skype claimed to offer end-to-end encryption (E2E) for its calls more than 20 years before it became a standard feature in messaging apps such as iMessage, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, Signal, and WhatsApp. Developed by cryptographer Phil Zimmermann in the mid-1990s, end-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and receiver can access the content of text messages or communications like video calls.
3. Skype Was Banned in Some Countries
Despite its widespread popularity, Skype was blocked in several countries due to security concerns, including Oman, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, Bangladesh, and China. These bans were often part of broader crackdowns on VoIP services, including platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Snapchat.
4. Skype Integrated with BingAI
Although Microsoft replaced Skype with Teams as the default messaging app in Windows, the company continually supported the platform through updates and new features. In 2023, Microsoft incorporated Skype with its Copilot offering, allowing users to add the Bing AI chatbot to group chats.
5. Over 36 Million People Still Use Skype
Despite its impending shutdown, Microsoft reports around 36 million daily active Skype users. These users have until May 5 to migrate to Microsoft Teams. According to Microsoft, “In the coming days, we will roll out the ability for Skype users to sign into Teams (free) on any supported device using their Skype credentials.” When users log into Teams using their Skype accounts, their chats and contacts will automatically transfer, enabling them to pick up where they left off. Furthermore, Microsoft allows users who don’t want to use business-oriented Teams to export their chats, contacts, and call history to other apps.
