What the hell happened to messaging apps?

Zsolt Benke remembers when IM (instant messaging) apps were actually good.

These days, the only apps I use are WhatsApp (for family) and Discord (for communities I’m involved with online), and I can’t say that I like either of them much.

I have somewhat fond memories of IRC. The other messaging services, not so much, but that was more because they were owned — and subsequently ruined — by corporations. Maybe we’ll end up back on IRC after the Great Enshittening?