Skype, the once-popular video and voice calling platform, is officially shutting down today, Monday, May 5, after 22 years of connecting people across the world.

The shutdown follows Microsoft’s February announcement that it would retire Skype to focus on its newer communication app, Microsoft Teams.

Launched in 2003, Skype quickly became a global sensation, allowing free video and voice calls over the internet. At its peak in the mid-2010s, the platform boasted over 300 million monthly users and revolutionised online communication.

Microsoft acquired Skype for $8.5 billion in 2011 with hopes of making it a core part of its software ecosystem. But with rising competition from WhatsApp, Zoom, and Teams, Skype gradually faded from the spotlight.

The closure affects both free and paid users, though Skype for Business will continue temporarily.

For many, today marks the end of an era that transformed the way families, friends, and businesses stay connected worldwide.