The decentralized messaging platform Matrix is seeing a surge in new users following Discord's announcement of mandatory age verification, set to roll out globally in March 2026.
While Matrix offers a privacy-respecting, open alternative to centralized platforms, its leadership cautions that it, too, must comply with age-related legal requirements.
Matrix technical co-founder and CEO Matthew Hodgson suggests the user influx is likely due to people seeking to avoid Discord’s expanded identity verification system. Discord’s update, reported earlier this week, will enforce age-gated restrictions through facial age estimation, ID checks, and machine learning inference models. The move has sparked criticism from privacy advocates, especially in light of Discord’s October 2025 breach, which exposed tens of thousands of sensitive ID documents.
Matrix, in contrast, is built on an open protocol that supports federated communication. Users can join existing homeservers, such as the flagship matrix.org, or run their own instance under independent governance. This design appeals to those wary of centralized control or intrusive data collection. However, Matrix.org emphasized that even decentralized platforms must comply with local laws, particularly regarding underage users.
Anyone operating a Matrix server with open registration is still subject to the law in their jurisdiction, Hodgson noted. Matrix.org has enforced an 18+ policy since last summer to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act, but newer laws in the EU, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as proposed rules in the US and Canada, are imposing additional verification burdens.
Founded in 2014 and maintained by Element, Matrix powers a range of messaging apps and services, with a strong presence in public sector deployments across Europe. While Matrix excels in privacy features such as default end-to-end encryption for messages, files, and calls, it does not yet match Discord’s full feature set for community-oriented communication. Features like game streaming, push-to-talk voice channels, custom emoji, and advanced moderation tools are still on the roadmap, though some unofficial clients like Cinny and Commet are attempting to bridge the gap.
To help manage the growing user base and regulatory complexity, Matrix.org is exploring several initiatives:
- Account Portability: A long-requested feature allowing users to migrate accounts between servers without losing data. New proposals (MSCs) for this are expected soon.
- Privacy-Preserving Age Verification: Matrix's Data Protection Officer and Safety team are assessing compliance methods that respect user anonymity, possibly including credit card-based checks via Matrix Premium accounts.
- Encouraging Self-Hosting: Users who are uncomfortable with Matrix.org’s evolving terms are encouraged to run their own servers, tailoring policies to local laws and personal preferences.
Ultimately, Matrix presents a compelling alternative for those seeking transparency, control, and resilience through decentralization, but its leadership’s message is clear: server operators must take age verification seriously, even if they disagree with the legislation.
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