Skype

Skype ( ) was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, an acquired division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. It was available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms. Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and four Estonian developers, and first released on August 29, 2003. In September 2005, eBay acquired it for $2.6 billion. In September 2009, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought 65% of Skype for $1.9 billion from eBay, valuing the business at $2.92 billion. In May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and used it to replace its own Windows Live Messenger. As of 2011, most of the development team and 44% of all the division's employees were in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia. Skype originally featured a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system. It became entirely powered by Microsoft-operated supernodes in May 2012; in 2017, it changed from a peer-to-peer service to a centralized Azure-based service. In February 2023, it was used by 36 million people each day.…

Skype ( ) was a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, an acquired division of Microsoft, best known for IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also had instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. It was available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms. Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janus Friis, and four Estonian developers, and first released on August 29, 2003. In September 2005, eBay acquired it for $2.6 billion. In September 2009, Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz, and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought 65% of Skype for $1.9 billion from eBay, valuing the business at $2.92 billion. In May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion and used it to replace its own Windows Live Messenger. As of 2011, most of the development team and 44% of all the division's employees were in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia. Skype originally featured a hybrid peer-to-peer and client–server system. It became entirely powered by Microsoft-operated supernodes in May 2012; in 2017, it changed from a peer-to-peer service to a centralized Azure-based service. In February 2023, it was used by 36 million people each day. The service was retired on 5 May 2025, and the website now redirects users to Microsoft Teams; however, the Skype Dial Pad remains functional for users with paid services.

Closure

Microsoft stated on its website Skype would be retired on 5 May 2025 to be replaced with Microsoft Teams for more "modern communications". It also mentioned that users will have the option to sign into Teams on any device that supported Skype credentials, as well as giving users the option to export their Skype data if they do not wish to use Teams. This closure was finalized on 5 May 2025. Existing credit balance for outgoing phone calls can be used via a Skype Dial Pad web application, but no new credit can be purchased. Users were originally given until January 2026 to export their Skype data; otherwise it would be deleted after the deadline has passed. However, on 20 December 2025, Microsoft announced on its support page for exporting Skype data, that the deadline has been extended to June 2026.

Cybercrime on application

Cybersex trafficking had occurred on Skype and other videoconferencing applications. According to the Australian Federal Police, overseas pedophiles were directing child sex abuse using its live streaming services.

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1372813424 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.