Matthew Hodgson
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arathorn.net
Matthew Hodgson
@arathorn.net
project lead matrix.org | CEO/CTO Element
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
I speak next week about our work to add E2EE DMs in Bluesky using the Matrix protocol. The event will be live streamed by the Matrix conference.

cfp.2025.matrix.org/matrix-conf-...

We will launch a Bluesky service using this technology soon.

@arathorn.net @kurtopsahl.bsky.social @micahflee.com
E2EE Direct Messaging in Bluesky with Matrix Matrix Conference 2025
See a demo of E2EE encrypted DMs in Bluesky powered by Matrix. We will highlight the simple user experience and other advantages of this approach to adding E2EE to Bluesky.
cfp.2025.matrix.org
October 9, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
🚀 We’re pleased to showcase the work of our summer intern, Skye, who made a big impact with their work on encrypted state events.

The blog post breaks down the project in detail.

element.io/blog/hiding-...
Hiding room metadata from servers
Every year, Element takes on a small number of summer interns to work on various research and development projects. Internships are a significant part of our culture, and ~20% of the current Element e...
element.io
September 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
This was the most fun i'd had in ages :D
The results of a 2 day hackathon (1 hour of demos!), an official Matrix server for the European Commission, and the Trust & Safety Working Group in Motion.

That and much more happened This Week In Matrix

matrix.org/blog/2025/09...
September 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
We’ve now published the details of the security issues which we addressed in Monday’s coordinated security release of Matrix: read all about Project Hydra at matrix.org/blog/2025/08... and please upgrade your servers and rooms where applicable.
Project Hydra: Improving state resolution in Matrix
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
August 14, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Project Aurora, the EU adopting Matrix for cybersecurity crisis management, and significant improvements in the rust SDK thanks to DINUM's HackDays.

That and more happened This Week in Matrix!

matrix.org/blog/2025/06...
This Week in Matrix 2025-06-06
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
June 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
How do you manage group chats in a messaging app?

Use our identity management and group access controls to synchronise with sources such as Microsoft Active Directory.

Element gives governments a consumer-style messaging app, but with enterprise-grade control.

element.io/blog/how-ele...
April 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
"Age verification" laws are actually "upload your ID or get your face scanned to access every website, ending anonymity and associating your identity with everything you do online" laws and if more people understood that they would not be down for this authoritarian nonsense
April 2, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Exciting news! The Matrix Foundation homeserver will migrate to the all new matrix-authentication-service on April 7th, with an expected downtime of 1h between 7am and 8am UTC.

More details about the impact for your on our blog.

matrix.org/blog/2025/04...
Matrix.org
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
Matrix.org
April 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Welcome to the Wild West of consumer messaging apps within governments. It’s not a one off. It’s not just the Trump administration. Governments have to put a serious alternative in place, combining the usability and E2EE of messaging apps with enterprise-grade oversight and control.
US shows the risk of running a government by Signal
The Trump administration’s spectacular security breach, in which it seemingly shared details of a planned military strike in Yemen with a journalist, highlights just what can go wrong if you use consu...
element.io
March 25, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Matrix provides an open network for secure, decentralized communication. At FOSDEM 2025, Matrix project lead Matthew Hodgson discussed the history of Matrix, its missteps in chasing mainstream adoption, its current status, and some of the wishlist features for taking Matrix into the mainstream.
The road to mainstream Matrix [LWN.net]
lwn.net
March 19, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
@matrix.org has gone from $0 to $561K in recurring revenue in just 2 years. But our expenses run $1.2M/yr. We've burned through reserves and are at a crossroads.

YOU have a role to play in shaping what happens next: matrix.org/blog/2025/02...

#Matrix #IndieWeb #FOSS #OpenSource #Privacy #Security
We're at a crossroads
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
February 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
⚠️ If you’re running an outdated version of Synapse, you’re putting your organisation at risk.

🚨 Version 1.98.0 of Synapse (or older) exposes you to critical vulnerabilities, compliance failures and security risks.

🔐 Get up to date.
Running outdated versions of Synapse is a problem
If you’re still using the old Apache-licensed Synapse version 1.98.0 or older, you’re running unsupported, vulnerable software.
element.io
February 20, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
The world needs secure comms as a bulwark against authoritarianism and oppression. Matrix seeks to meet that need, as a decentralised, encrypted protocol.

But Trust & Safety is difficult in a decentralised environment. How are we building a safer Matrix?
Building a Safer Matrix
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
February 14, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Missed FOSDEM, and you want to know how Matrix got where it is right now, where it succeeded, where it fell short, and what's remaining on the Road to Mainstream Matrix?

@arathorn.net has your back!
FOSDEM 2025 - The Road To Mainstream Matrix
Matthew's Main Track Talk in Janson at FOSDEM 2025: The Road To Mainstream Matrix.(This Week in) Matrix🐘 https://mastodon.matrix.org/@matrix🤝 https://www.l...
youtu.be
February 7, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Quickly reply to push notifications to never miss a message (or not - set your preference in Settings!).
February 4, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
@arathorn.net enthuses about the twisty twisty path to Mainstream Matrix in Janson at #FOSDEM today! Thanks to everyone who came or tuned in!
February 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Very honored to receive the Business & Impact Award at #EOSA2025 & join the European Open Source Academy as the Business & Impact section lead!

Thank you @eosa.bsky.social & thank you Mitchell Baker for the kind words!

Looking fwd to raise OS awareness & help orgs support the ecosystem better!
The award goes to...

👏 Congratulations to Amandine Le Pape for winning the Business & Impact Award at #EOSA2025! 🚀

🤝Presented by Mitchell Baker, Chairwoman of Mozilla and a pioneer in open internet advocacy. #FOSS #GovTech
#OpenSource #TechForGood
January 30, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Looking forward to a busy Sunday at @fosdem.bsky.social with @arathorn.net delivering ‘The Road to Mainstream Matrix’ at 12pm, followed by ‘Matrix State of the Union’ together with @amandine.bsky.social at 1pm.

Check out the full list of @matrix.org track talks: fosdem.org/2025/schedul... [1/3]
FOSDEM 2025 - Matrix.org Foundation and Community
fosdem.org
January 29, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
2024 was a banner year for Matrix, from Matrix 2.0 progress and Trust & Safety improvements, to operationalizing open governance and hosting the first Matrix Conference. From all of us to you, merry merry and a happy new year ✨
The Matrix Holiday Special 2024
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
December 25, 2024 at 8:03 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
It's the last spec release of 2024! 🎉 Matrix 1.13 has even more Trust & Safety features for you. Account Suspension, new reporting endpoints, fixes to existing endpoints, and not-T&S features like EDUs to appservices!

Details on the blog:
Matrix v1.13 release
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
December 19, 2024 at 4:57 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Computer Weekly highlights the irony of UK OSA and EU Chat Control pushing for E2EE backdoors...

...while the US urges people into E2EE apps because #SaltTyphoon has exploited backdoors to compromise the US' entire public telephone network.

www.computerweekly.com/news/3666169...
Government agencies urged to use encrypted messaging after Chinese Salt Typhoon hack | Computer Weekly
Chinese hacking of US telecom networks raises questions about the exploitation by hostile hacking groups of government backdoors to provide lawful access to telecoms services.
www.computerweekly.com
December 6, 2024 at 8:26 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
US senators urge @deptofdefense.bsky.social to expand the use of the @matrix.org open standard in light of the #SaltTyphoon attack on the US telephone network.
Senators implore Department of Defense to expand the use of Matrix
Senators Ron Wyden and Eric Schmitt push the Defense Department to expand the use of Matrix to deliver sovereign, end-to-end encrypted and interoperable communications.
element.io
December 5, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
Gizmodo: FBI Warns Americans to Start Using Encrypted Messaging Apps

Yet another reason I love using Matrix/Element.

gizmodo.com/fbi-warns-am...

#matrix #encryption
FBI Warns Americans to Start Using Encrypted Messaging Apps
It's all about protecting against China, but there's the added benefit of protecting against Trump.
gizmodo.com
December 4, 2024 at 4:00 PM
A bit of a random one, but: do I know anyone at the UK Environment Agency? They seem intent on trying to destroy 150 years of history by selling off Shiplake Island to the highest bidder; incredibly depressing stuff www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... (cc
@elliemaeohagan.bsky.social who i once met there)
Shiplake Lock Camping Island plans described as 'reckless'
The Environment Agency wants to reopen Shiplake Lock Camping Island as a commerical campsite.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 3, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Matthew Hodgson
A Bluesky bridge, encrypted rooms support for Hookshot, and the Sharing Extensions back in Element X iOS. That, and much more happened This Week in Matrix!
This Week in Matrix 2024-11-29
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
matrix.org
November 29, 2024 at 8:10 PM