Microsoft’s Skype communciations service has undergone a number of changes since its acquisition, logging trillions of minutes usage and upcoming services such as group video messaging across mobile platforms. More recently, Skype announced another change, this time the retirement of its Managed Accounts option, which essentially turned a single Skype account into a shared account by affording control options to multiple users.
The change to Skype’s Managed Accounts will take place March 29th, 2016, and effectively reverses the process, turning a shared account into a single user personal account. Skype has already begun to alert its users through email signaling the changes to come.
As for those who would like a bit more clarity on the proposed changes, visiting the Skype HELP section on its website should provide more details such as:
Is there anything users need to do prior to the transition?
The transition from Managed Account to personal accounts will be seamless, however, it is highly recommended that users of a Managed Account log into their account and verify that a valid and accessible email address is set in their profile. This is the email address that will be used for any password reset after the transition to personal accounts. You can log into your account and verify your email address here.”
Perhaps more important, the site covers what exactly happens during the transition for active Skype users.
After the transition, Managed Accounts will change to personal accounts. As a Skype Manager administrator, you will no longer be able to perform all the administrative functions you were previously able to on these accounts. You can still assign Skype Credit amounts, subscriptions and Skype Numbers to personal accounts but you will no longer be able to reset passwords or delete these accounts.
Following the transition, allocated subscriptions, Skype Credit or Skype Numbers associated with a personal account may not be retrievable by the Skype Manager administrator and content or material associated with Managed Account may no longer be accessible by the Skype Manager administrator.”
Probably, Managed Account holders should prepare those sharing a single Skype account to sign up for a personal account as all functionality and features are being stripped away. We can only speculate as to why Skype has decided to retire Managed Accounts, but the news signals a trend towards more granularity on the part of Skype.