Microsoft Quietly Rolls Out Subscription-Based Model For Skype, While Cybercriminals Are Launching ‘Vishing’ Attacks On Microsoft Teams Users

Microsoft has switched Skype to a monthly subscription-based model instead of its credit-based system.

Microsoft has quietly introduced changes to Skype’s credit policy. Users can no longer purchase new Skype credit, and any existing credit must be used at least once every six months to remain active. This update wasn’t officially announced but came to light when a volunteer moderator on a Microsoft forum informed a user who faced issues topping up their credit.

A spokesperson for Microsoft has since confirmed to TechCrunch that it has completely ended sales of Skype credit and Skype numbers:

The sales of new Skype numbers and Skype credit have been permanently halted. For some customers, the interface for purchasing new Skype credit may still be visible in certain entry points, although payment attempts will not go through. We are aware of this issue and working on making the necessary updates.”

In other Microsoft news, cybercriminals are targeting Microsoft Teams users with “vishing” attacks.

As Trend Micro initially reported, bad actors are using social engineering techniques through Teams calls to impersonate user clients and gain remote access to their systems.

Vishing, short for “voice phishing,” is similar to phishing in that it involves attempting to trick someone into providing sensitive information or granting access to a system. However, unlike traditional phishing, vishing is conducted over the phone or through a calling app.

Google Cloud Gets In On Agentic AI To Elevate Employee Experience

Google Cloud has introduced an AI tool called “Agentspace” that enables workers to access organisational information and automate repetitive tasks.

Agentspace leverages Gemini’s intelligence, Google search capabilities, and enterprise data to tackle tasks such as research, planning, content creation, and actions. Google Cloud claims that Agentspace will ultimately enhance employee productivity by automating repetitive tasks and providing quick access to organisational information.

“Today, we introduced the Google Agentspace, bringing AI agents and AI-powered search to enterprises,” wrote Kevin Ichhpurani, President of Global Partner Ecosystem at Google Cloud, on LinkedIn. “With Google Agentspace, every team—from business analysts and HR to engineers and marketers—can gain AI-driven insights, streamline complex tasks, and collaborate seamlessly across regions with multi-language support.”

Agentspace encompasses the AI research assistant NotebookLM Enterprise, Google Agentspace Enterprise multimodal company data search agent, and Google Agentspace Enterprise Plus to automate business functions.

BT Group Leverages Sprinklr AI To Transform Its Customer Experience

BT Group is leveraging Sprinklr’s unified CX management platform to elevate customer support through AI-powered capabilities.

BT Group says the revamped customer contact platform delivers a major upgrade to the customer experience for EE and BT users by utilising conversational AI. It also streamlines support processes for the Group’s customer service guides, benefiting its Business, Consumer, and internal contact channels.

Harry Singh, MD of Consumer Digital at BT Group, said:

The collaboration with Sprinklr marks a significant step forward in BT Group’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences. With our customer contact platform, we have unlocked powerful AI-enhanced capabilities for our customer service, boosting satisfaction and creating exciting new opportunities for customer experience.”

Sprinklr’s unified customer experience platform enhances BT Group’s support services. BT Group asserts that this integration allows the platform to access BT Group’s data, enabling it to deliver personalised and accurate responses when customers seek assistance.

Additionally, the customer contact platform powers EE’s virtual assistant, Aimee, and supports real-time online chat messaging, further improving customer interactions and providing timely support.



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