Adrian Weckler: How WhatsApp is killing off the SMS text and do we need to be concerned?

The rise of the Meta-owned messaging service and the huge drop in SMS texting puts a frightening, disproportionate amount of power into the hands of one service

Ubiquitous: WhatsApp is now used by 81pc of adults in Ireland

Adrian Weckler

Should we be worried that WhatsApp now owns Ireland’s text messaging?

Figures from the most recent report from the telecom regulator show a collapse in the ordinary SMS texting that we used to do — it’s down a crushing 34pc in a single year.