| Clients | Element, Element X, NHeko, Fluffychat, Schildichat, Cinny, more. |
|---|---|
| Type | Secure Instant Messenger |
| Security | End-to-end encryption for DMs and E2E for rooms (optional). |
| Server Architecture | p2p Federated Homeservers requiring domain names to work. Functions similarly to email. |
| Server Structure | i.e. cunny.taxi |
| Channel Architecture | Rooms hosted on Homeservers that can be organized into Spaces that contain multiple rooms. |
| Channel Structure | i.e. #catpictures:cunny.taxi |
| User Architecture | Users must sign up at a homeserver's registration page (some require 2 factor authentication, a reason for joining, or have other forms of gatekeeping), to make a non-transferable account. (for example if a user wanted multiple accounts for redundancy, they would need to make an independent account on each separate homeserver) |
| User Structure | i.e. @admin:cunny.taxi |
| See Also | Signal, Session, SimpleX |
Matrix, frequently mistakenly known as Element (Matrix's official client), is marketed as a secure instant messaging platform for professionals and personal use, however, it's security in practice is disputed by multiple security researchers. It's the home to many internet users who have been banned from more common, centralized social media and is used by thousands for conversation that borders on illegal, and to consume porn that borders on illegal material in some countries. (i.e. Shota, Loli hentai, or Cub porn) Matrix is also used for the hosting and consumption of illegal content through some rooms and homeservers, however, the vast majority of these rooms and homeservers are exiled from connecting to other homeservers1), reported to the FBI for a legal takedown, and/or become the subject of strict internet vigilantism that can result in the homeserver being taken down by DDoS attacks or backdoor attacks.
Security
While Matrix is marketed as secure, and does feature many baked-in security measures like End-to-End (E2E) Encryption, many security researchers have concluded that it is less secure than other similar platforms like SimpleX and Signal, citing issues with the way keys are delivered to users, as custom-made software can mimic a legitimate host to receive keys relatively easily, allowing a bad actor to obtain keys and decrypt messages without creating an account on a homeserver to begin with.
Nevertheless, the majority of Matrix users believe that the service is secure and continue discussing topics that are disallowed on other platforms, and share legal, or illegal content with each other.