Microsoft confirmed it would shut down Skype in May, directing users to its Teams platform and ending a chapter for the once-popular internet calling service.
Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, marking the company’s largest acquisition at the time, according to CNN.
Launched in 2003, the service once dominated internet calling by offering free global connectivity, but struggled to keep pace with rivals such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, and, most recently, Discord and Zoom.
“Skype has been an integral part of shaping modern communications and supporting countless meaningful moments, and we are honored to have been part of the journey,” said president of Microsoft 365 collaborative apps and platforms Jeff Teper in a statement.
Skype’s ownership changed hands multiple times before Microsoft’s acquisition. In 2005, eBay purchased the voice-over-internet tool for $2.6…
