Skype plans to add 400 positions across five cities, with the bulk of the hiring expected in London and Stockholm. The video calling service, which was bought out by Microsoft in October, will also later expand its employee count in Tallinn, Estonia; Prague, Czech Republic; and Palo Alto, Calif., according to BBC News. The new positions will bring Skype's worldwide head count to 1,600. Rick Osterloh, vice president of product and design, told the BBC that Skype is hiring in software engineering, product management and design for the expansion of a technology center in central London. It's working on a big data project, as well as other projects focused on the web and its new Xbox division. The London hiring will increase the London staff by 40 percent, to 330 employees. The initial phase of hiring is expected to be completed by the end of June. Though the UK government is touting London as a “powerhouse” for European tech, a proposed law that would allow government surveillance of citizens' phone and Web communications has drawn harsh critics. Skype has been mentioned specifically among the types of communications that might be monitored. Skype Will Hire 400 Software Engineers, Product Managers
Skype plans to add 400 positions across five cities, with the bulk of the hiring expected in London and Stockholm. The video calling service, which was bought out by Microsoft in October, will also later expand its employee count in Tallinn, Estonia; Prague, Czech Republic; and Palo Alto, Calif., according to BBC News. The new positions will bring Skype's worldwide head count to 1,600. Rick Osterloh, vice president of product and design, told the BBC that Skype is hiring in software engineering, product management and design for the expansion of a technology center in central London. It's working on a big data project, as well as other projects focused on the web and its new Xbox division. The London hiring will increase the London staff by 40 percent, to 330 employees. The initial phase of hiring is expected to be completed by the end of June. Though the UK government is touting London as a “powerhouse” for European tech, a proposed law that would allow government surveillance of citizens' phone and Web communications has drawn harsh critics. Skype has been mentioned specifically among the types of communications that might be monitored. 
