Element (formerly Riot and Vector) is a free and open-source software instant messaging client implementing the Matrix protocol. Element supports end-to-end encryption, private and public groups, sharing of files between users, voice and video calls, and other collaborative features with help of bots and widgets. It is available as a web application that can be accessed through any modern web browser, as desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and as a mobile app for Android and iOS. Taken from Wikipedia
Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, EULA (Enterprise Edition only).
Disclaimer: I mainly tested this with the main matrix instance (matrix.org) as it's the one with the biggest userbase. There may be a difference in Part I scores between instances.
Should not be a problem when self hosting.
Tested with AnonAddy and SimpleLogin. To be sure just avoid the usual two dots and xyz domains.
Namely 2FA over SMS. I would advise against this as they share this with Twilio, which recently had a data breach last 2022.
Additional notes: You may optionally let your element account be discovered by either email or phone number. Since this is opt in and completely optional I have not included them in the SPT.
According to their Privacy Policy, they delete them after 180 days for the non EMS customers. Still, logging is logging.
It's opt in apparently, disregard this.
Another opt in feature. I probably should add rules for opt in data collection.
Opt in, again.
Uses AWS to host Element Matrix Services and Cloudflare to prevent DDoS attacks. Nooo!
Apparently powered by the Free and Open Source Matomo and hosted locally. Unsure if this means it's 1st or 3rd party.
Only for the personal edition. Enterprise edition apparently cannot opt out at all.
Again only for standard chat app. Why does the Enterprise edition exist again?
IP Logs are deleted after 180 days. That should say something.
Multi platform as well. My main complaint is voice chat sometimes can't detect my microphone when installed as a Flatpak.
Element started as a startup company in 2017 and have been receiving a steady supply of investors ever since.
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Analysis: Element is yet another good option for encrypted communication. The lack of a mandatory phone number and its decentralized nature could make it a viable alternative to Signal, albeit with weaker encryption. Many also consider it a popular Discord alternative to the privacy conscious person but I personally think it needs more improvement before it can be a 1:1 comparison. For starters, group calls are still not E2EE and voice channels, arguably Discord's most popular feature, don't exist in Element. Still it's the closest we can get to a Discord but E2EE so if you can convince your guild or party to switch over then be my guest.