Do the IOUs typed by SMS have legal effect?

This involves the validity of the evidence.

I don't think SMS alone can be used as evidence to claim arrears or loans. There must be other evidence to support it.

Text messages are still not as good as handwritten IOUs with handprints.

Because an individual's mobile phone can be controlled by others outside his control consciousness. The possibility of fraud is also high.

But notes or fingerprints are generally not forged, and if forged, they may be identified.