Microsoft has announced that it will be discontinuing Skype on May 5, as part of its efforts to streamline its free consumer communications offerings. The company is encouraging users to switch to its alternative platform, Teams, which offers similar functionality. Microsoft has provided step-by-step instructions for users to migrate their data from Skype to Teams, including chats and contacts. Users who do not wish to switch to Teams can export their data and history before the shutdown. Skype was launched in 2003 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for $8.5 billion. While it was once a pioneering platform for video calls, it has since been overtaken by other services such as Zoom and FaceTime.