Microsoft Kills-Off Skype After 23 Years

Skype has officially shut down as of 5 May 2025, marking the end of one of the most recognisable names in digital communication after a 23-year run.

A Platform That Defined an Era

Launched in 2003 by a small team of Estonian and Scandinavian developers, Skype quickly became the go-to app for free internet-based voice and video calls. For many, it was the first experience of seeing and hearing someone across the world at the click of a button. By 2010, the platform boasted over 660 million registered users, and its influence was so widespread that “to Skype” became a verb.