Skype Terms & Privacy Policy Tracker

Skype

skype.com

Skype is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, that specializes in IP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing, and voice calls. Its business model centers on providing a versatile communication ecosystem for both individual and enterprise users, featuring instant messaging, file transfers, and the ability to make calls to traditional landline and mobile networks via a subscription or credit-based system. Following its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011, the platform evolved to include Skype for Business, a specialized tool integrated into the Microsoft 365 suite that offered advanced collaboration features like high-capacity online meetings, professional presence indicators, and enterprise-grade security. While the consumer service remains operational for personal use, Microsoft transitioned its primary business-focused communication and collaboration efforts to Microsoft Teams, officially retiring the Skype for Business service in 2021 and the consumer application in 2025.