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Matthew Hodgson

@arathorn.net
5.9K followers 507 following 227 posts

project lead matrix.org | CEO/CTO Element

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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
To answer your question, matrix.to/#/#synapse:matrix.org is a good place to route folks who need help.
matrix.to
Matrix - Decentralised and secure communication
You're invited to talk on Matrix. If you don't already have a client this link will help you pick one, and join the conversation. If you already have one, this link will help you join the conversation
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
And yes, Matrix gets a lot of hate; and we're far from perfect; you can find a (1y stale) list of things i've personally got wrong as project lead here: gist.github.com/ara4n/8422ae...; None of this reflects badly on Twisted though, with the possible exception of github.com/twisted/twis....
gist.github.com
Matrix fails & successes
Matrix fails & successes. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
Matrix is a protocol. We started Dendrite as an alt impl to prevent a monoculture; nothing against Twisted. Synapse got popular so we had to focus on that; meanwhile other impls like conduit.rs emerged. Meanwhile dendrite lives on at zendrite.pat-s.me.
zendrite.pat-s.me
Introduction
A second-generation Matrix homeserver written in Go
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
yup, we've been getting and incorporating useful feedback, but nothing remotely as negative as the post implies. our best theory is that this is change aversion, or cherrypicking for maximum clicks, or someone who had a terrible time but didn't relay it back (other than leaking it to the press).
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
for some value of great news, i guess. the deployment actually seems to be going relatively okay in practice, although will be interesting to see if this hit piece torpedos it.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 04/10/2026
err… would genuinely love to understand why this is so funny? we’ve tried to find the unhappy user(s) here and failed; the feedback we’ve had has been positive. politico seems have cherrypicked to make the commission look stupid.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 03/10/2026
fwiw we’ve never tried to migrate off it, afaik. i did an experiment switching to pure asyncio, but it was for my personal interest and i let it drop. the politico article doesn’t seem to be grounded in fact (we’ve been unable to find the angry users). sorry you feel ashamed that we use your tech.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 29/09/2026
I've been roped into running a half-marathon (marathorn?) around Oxford weekend after next: I'm running for Macmillan cancer support, who are a very worthy cause. If anyone wished to sponsor me it would be very much appreciated! www.justgiving.com/fundraising/... :)
justgiving.com
In which Matthew runs around Oxford for Macmillan
Help Matthew Hodgson raise money to support Macmillan Cancer Support
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 26/08/2026
@arathorn.net will be speedrunning an updated version of the "P2P Matrix: A New Hope" talk from #dwebcamp tomorrow - if you want to hear all about the new wave P2P work happening in Matrix, now's your chance!
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DWeb @getdweb.net · 30/06/2026
@arathorn.net, @matrix.org co-founder and @element.io CEO/CTO, is coming to DWeb Camp to present “Peer-to-Peer Matrix: A New Hope” We’ll have many more Matrix-related activities and talks! 🤩 💡 Check them out here
A graphic with Matthew’s profile picture, photo/pattern of forest trees, and the title of his talk.
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 25/06/2026
We're excited to have Andy Piper @andypiper.me join the team at The Matrix Foundation. 🎉 Andy is our Senior Developer Relations Engineer, working to support & encourage the broader Matrix ecosystem. You can expect to see them around the community over the coming weeks. Please offer a warm welcome!
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Eurosky Sebastian @sebastian.eurosky.social · 05/06/2026
This is massive for the future of un-enshittified Social Media in Europe. Atmosphere ❤️ Fediverse ❤️ Matrix
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 27/03/2026
🥁 The Matrix.org Foundation has published its first Public Annual Report! 📊 👀 Have a peek into our day-to-day and check out what we’ve been working on in 2025. It also includes a report of our finances and the plan for 2026! Enjoy! ➡️ The blog: matrix.org/blog/2026/03...
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 18/02/2026
Our analysis of reported issues in vodozemac: matrix.org/blog/2026/02...
matrix.org
Analysis of reported issues in vodozemac
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Element @element.io · 14/01/2026
💬 When chat history matters most As limits hit free self-hosted tools, more teams are turning to ESS Community - our free, open-source Matrix distribution. ✔️ Unlimited history ✔️ Voice & video ✔️ E2EE ✔️ Open & sovereign by design Built on Matrix, with advanced org controls available in ESS Pro👇
element.io
When chat history matters most
As limits land on some free self-hosted collaboration tools, more teams are turning to ESS Community - our free-use, open source Matrix distribution.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
right. we are the final stages of entirely replacing Classic with X; the old app hasn't been touched for ~2.5y. It's taken ages due to tragedy-of-the-commons problems: gist.github.com/ara4n/190ad7... gives an idea. (That said, Classic *should* work atm, but it's certainly been wobbly in the past)
gist.github.com
Transcript of Matrix Live S11E07 - Reflections on Matrix criticism over the last week
Transcript of Matrix Live S11E07 - Reflections on Matrix criticism over the last week - matrix-live-s1107.md
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
Which app has been giving problems in the past though? Element Classic or Element X? (Element X should be rock solid; Element Classic... less so)
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
for an org that wants to have a single dep on AWS/Azure etc, i’m not sure we can do much tbh. That said, p2p matrix work is under way again which could be a workaround of sorts, but “run a backup server on a different provider” isn’t that bad: non-geeks seem to understand “use your backup account” 🤷
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
which client/platform/version is this happening with? (do you happen to have a bug number?)
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
It’s like Git: even if GitHub explodes you can always keep working via another clone. We will eventually get to genuine account portability and multihomed accounts, but meanwhile keeping a backup acct around is a low tech but very effective workaround.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 27/11/2025
Sure! a typical approach is to have backup accounts on another server in the same conversations. For instance, I have both @matthew:matrix.org and @matthew:element.io in important rooms; matrix.org sits behind CF and element.io is on AWS, and so you can continue relatively uninterrupted.
matrix.org
Matrix.org
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Ranga Krishnan @rangakrishnan1.solidarity.social · 09/10/2025
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
cfp.2025.matrix.org
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.
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Element @element.io · 30/09/2025
🚀 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-...
element.io
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...
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 12/09/2025
This was the most fun i'd had in ages :D
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 11/09/2025
BCD ftw!
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 07/09/2025
yup. for instance, the deltachat folks are currently trying to differentiate from Matrix by saying that they have never needed a coordinated proto update… as all their clients use the same impl: delta.chat/en/2025-08-0.... So now I know how the XMPP folks felt, in terms of questionable comparisons.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 07/09/2025
On the plus side, I’m not aware of much/any anti-XMPP sentiment on the Matrix side (other than that the perception from back in 2014): the competition is very unambiguously centralised proprietary chat/voip providers, rather than other open source/standard msging protocols.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 07/09/2025
However, the damage was done, and to this day there is *incredible* hostility from some XMPP folks (which may have happened anyway, i guess), blaming us for diluting work on open IM protocols. This does seem to be factional, sadly, and is reminiscent of the AP v ATP grief.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 07/09/2025
It’s more nuanced, sadly: in the very beginning of Matrix (Sep 2014), I did position it as a reaction to XMPP… because that was what it was. This caused extreme irritation with XMPP fans, which in retrospect could & should have been avoided. We consciously stopped making the comparison in ~Dec 2014.
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 07/09/2025
we need one of these for Matrix & XMPP too :) (and probably Linux & *BSD. and vi and emacs…)
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 14/08/2025
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.
matrix.org
Project Hydra: Improving state resolution in Matrix
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 06/07/2025
status.matrix.org/incidents/8g... - we’re having to restore the broken rooms from backup, which is taking a while; sorry.
status.matrix.org
Actions such as message sending or invites is failing in a small subset of rooms
Matrix's Status Page - Actions such as message sending or invites is failing in a small subset of rooms.
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 06/06/2025
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...
matrix.org
This Week in Matrix 2025-06-06
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Element @element.io · 03/04/2025
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...
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Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
"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
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 02/04/2025
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.org
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Element @element.io · 25/03/2025
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.
element.io
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...
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LWN.net @lwndotnet.bsky.social · 19/03/2025
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.
lwn.net
The road to mainstream Matrix [LWN.net]
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Robin Riley @riley.pub · 20/02/2025
@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
matrix.org
We're at a crossroads
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Element @element.io · 20/02/2025
⚠️ 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.
element.io
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.
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 14/02/2025
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?
matrix.org
Building a Safer Matrix
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 07/02/2025
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!
youtu.be
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...
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Element @element.io · 04/02/2025
Quickly reply to push notifications to never miss a message (or not - set your preference in Settings!).
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 02/02/2025
@arathorn.net enthuses about the twisty twisty path to Mainstream Matrix in Janson at #FOSDEM today! Thanks to everyone who came or tuned in!
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Amandine Le Pape @amandine.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
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!
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Element @element.io · 29/01/2025
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.org
FOSDEM 2025 - Matrix.org Foundation and Community
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Matthew Hodgson @arathorn.net · 28/01/2025
that's not true at all, ftr - Matrix is absolutely aiming to be usable to build decentralised Discord replacements. It's *Element* which is currently focused on WhatsApp/Signal/Telegram replacement, but we expect Element to also get (back) to Discord style uses in future.
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 25/12/2024
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 ✨
matrix.org
The Matrix Holiday Special 2024
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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The Matrix.org Foundation @matrix.org · 19/12/2024
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.org
Matrix v1.13 release
Matrix, the open protocol for secure decentralised communications
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Element @element.io · 06/12/2024
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...
computerweekly.com
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.
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