Why matrix as a chat system?¶

Institutions of higher education (e.g. universities) with a Matrix service:

There are many services and programs for instant electronic communication. Matrix was chosen because it has the following characteristics:

• Open standard (no technical dead end)
• Communication protocol for federated real-time communication (no isolated solution but like e-mail with worldwide connectivity)
• Differentiated communication possible (1:1, multiple teams, topic-specific)
• Decentralized, persistent and interoperable communication (no central control instances, connectable with other protocols and tools)
• Data protection: end-to-end encryption standard in 1:1 conversations and (group) rooms, can be switched off in the latter
• Web application + desktop client + mobile apps available
• The contacts on your own cell phone are not automatically passed on to third parties (no address book upload)
• Existing successful security audit
• Autonomy and control: locally installable (server location ETH Hönggerberg)
• Recognize the presence status
• Active further development
• Up-and-coming use by other scientific institutions (e.g. lots of German universities)

Further informationen: https://matrix.org/docs/chat_basics/

Detailed explanation of technical terms: https://matrix.org/docs/older/faq/#definitions