Skype shuts down on May 5: Ever wondered why it was called Skype?

Skype shuts down on May 5: Ever wondered why it was called Skype?

On May 5, Skype will stop operating, marking the end of a period for one of the internet’s pioneers, after nearly 22 years of providing connections to users all over the world.

More than 300 million monthly users were gathered for Skype, which was founded in 2003, making it a revolutionary tool for free voice and video calls over the internet.

Before Zoom or FaceTime, the free platform revolutionized how people communicate across borders.

What causes Skype to stop working?

Microsoft made Skype a key component of its communications strategy by purchasing it for $8.5 billion in 2011. However, Skype’s popularity declined as WhatsApp, Zoom, and eventually Microsoft’s own Teams gained popularity.

Microsoft announced on February 28 that Skype would be discontinued on May 5 in an effort to make its services more focused and prioritize teams for communication and collaboration.

Skype for Business will continue temporarily, but both free and paid Skype users will be affected by the shutdown.

What happens to the data of the current users?

Microsoft has urged users to switch to Teams by visiting skype.com and using the “Start using Teams” feature. Teams will continue to allow access to all of their Skype conversations and contacts using the same login credentials.

Users are limited to their data until January 2026 to download or migrate it before it is permanently deleted.

On Skype, was it possible to pass a quiz?

Do you believe you are an Skype user? To find out how well you are familiar with its history, features, and impact on global communication, respond to these ten questions below.

Source: Aljazeera

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