Microsoft has officially confirmed the closure of Skype

This morning we reported that the programming code of a test version of Skype revealed Microsoft's plans to disable the service.

Well, we didn't have to wait long for official confirmation of this information.

Here's What We Know

Microsoft representatives confirmed to The Verge that the service for calls and video conferencing will be shut down on 5 May.

All Skype users are offered to move for free to Microsoft Teams - a programme based on Skype.

The American company has provided the possibility to transfer data from Skype to Teams, including correspondence history, contacts, photos and other content.

Microsoft offers other similar services as an alternative.

Until May 5, all Skype features will continue to function, the exception being calls to phone numbers, both domestic and foreign, using the programme. The company explained that such a function was relevant in the times when Internet communication was not as developed as it is now, and at the moment it is no longer necessary.

Paid subscriptions will also be valid until Skype is switched off, but new sign-ups are no longer possible.

Flashback

Skype was launched in 2003 and became a popular tool for online communication. In 2011 it was acquired by Microsoft, and in 2015 the company tried to integrate the service into Windows 10. However, the development of the platform turned out to be chaotic: application formats and interface changed, and in 2017 Microsoft launched Teams - a corporate messenger built on Skype.

Source: The Verge