The Slow Decline Of Skype May Finally End This Year

Once a pioneer in the realm of internet video calls, Skype may be approaching its end after struggling to keep pace with competitors for years. A recent preview version of Skype includes code snippets indicating a planned shutdown by the end of this year.

“Beginning in May, Skype will no longer be accessible. You can continue your conversations on Teams,” states the code, which was initially uncovered by the team at XDA-Developers. This code, found in the software package’s JSON files, also indicates that Microsoft is encouraging Skype users to transition to its Teams platform.

The lines of code suggest that when the time comes for the service to end, users will see either a dialog box or a notification informing them of the shutdown. The message will also prompt users to download Teams, with a direct link to the app’s download page.

Microsoft appears to be aiming for a smooth transition for users. Taking into account that Skype has access to contact information linked to Microsoft accounts, it looks set to notify users about how many of their contacts are already using Teams.

The Inevitable Was Foreshadowed

In 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype for an impressive $8.5 billion, but the journey since has been fraught with significant security issues and a lack of innovation. In 2013, The Guardian reported a clandestine eavesdropping initiative called PRISM, which enabled the NSA to tap into a vast amount of Skype video calls.

In 2018, Skype was again mentioned for darker reasons, as it became linked to cybersex trafficking through a global network. Ultimately, however, its decline stemmed largely from Microsoft’s own strategic choices.

Despite being one of the first to offer video calling, Skype rapidly fell behind its rivals. The tech giant shifted its attention to Teams, transforming it into the leading communication tool for businesses and educational institutions.

Skype missed the chance to leverage the surge in video conferencing spurred by a shift to remote work, as the global pandemic elevated Zoom to new heights. During this period, Microsoft prioritized Teams while neglecting Skype, further dampening Skype’s future.

As competitors rolled out enhancements and new features, Skype started to look outdated, leading to a steady loss of its once-vast user base. Now, all that remains is an official announcement from Microsoft confirming Skype’s end.