At the beginning of this year,WhatsApp debuted a new privacy policythat raised many eyebrows.
But this displeased many users, and the mass exodus to platforms such asTelegram and Signal began.
Plus, there was a raging debate about which app has better security and privacy standards.
One name that came up in the discussion wasMatrix.Sounds unfamiliar?
How does encryption work in messaging apps?
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For instance, Signal and WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted.
That means even the company wont be able to read your chats.
Whats Matrix and how does it work?
Matrix is an open-sourced protocol developed in 2014 by a team then working for Amdocs an Israeli communication company.
The standard is based on HTTP (to facilitate messages) and WebRTC (to facilitate voice calls).
It works on a decentralized model with any compatible client.
This means you move between different apps without having to give up on the core benefits of the standard.
Thats in contrast to public channels hosted on Viber and Telegram.
What is Matrixs advantage?
If youre using WhatsApp or iMessage, youre tied to that app.
You and your friendscan only participate on that platformif you use that particular app.
Matrix wants to be a communication standard like emailsthats independent of the client you might use with it.
These are open-sourced plug-ins that let you connect with other apps.
@xkcdComicDon’t despair there is a solution!
There are plenty of clients that use Matrix, the primary one beingElement(formerly known as Riot).
This allows them to build custom communication apps with added security without being bound to an ecosystem.
How can you use Matrix?
Since Matrix is an open-source protocol, you might choose from an array of apps based on your requirements.
The most popular client isElementthat has more than 85% of Matrix networks users.
However,other apps such as cross-platformNeoChat, and the simple and clean mobile appFluffyChatare gaining popularity.
This apps core isbuilt on the Matrix protocol, and other apps are connected to it via Bridges.
Whats the future and what are the challenges?
Currently, very few Matrix-based clients provide stable Bridges to these apps.
After all, just having great privacy and security measures doesnt make an app popular.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.
That’s one heck of a mixed bag.
He likes to say “Bleh.”
