Element Blog

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In an increasingly volatile world, governments turn to Element and Matrix

Governments need digitally sovereign, secure and interoperable communications. The demand for Matrix is palpable.

Scotland’s brave new world of end-to-end encrypted workplace messaging

The Scottish government has banned the use of WhatsApp. It needs an alternative that’s just as easy to use, but that is built for the workplace.

Synapse Pro slashes costs for running nation-scale Matrix deployments

Synapse Pro is Element’s best practice Matrix homeserver. It transforms the performance and economics of huge public sector deployments.

Senators implore Department of Defense to expand the use of Matrix

Senators Ron Wyden and Eric Schmitt push the Defense Department to expand the use of Matrix to deliver sovereign, end-to-end encrypted and interoperable communications.

Element X is now available with LTS ESS 24.10

We’re excited to announce the release of ESS 24.10, the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version of the Element Server Suite! This is an important milestone as it brings Element X to customers who require the six monthly LTS releases of ESS.

Experimenting with Matrix 2.0 using element-docker-demo

element-docker-demo gives you a basic Matrix 2.0 implementation. Watch Matthew Hodgson, Element CEO and co-founder of Matrix.org, step through the set up.

Matthew Hodgson

Deep dive into Element X!

Element X is now the mobile app that almost all Element users should be using for messaging; both in the workplace and for personal use.

openDesk enters the chat with Element!

openDesk is an Office & Collaboration Suite for public administration. Element was selected by ZenDiS as the real time communications component.

NATO NI2CE Messenger utilises the power of decentralised communication

NI2CE (NATO Interoperable Instant Communication Environment) is a sovereign and secure messenger that aims to complement existing communication solutions

Adfinis adds Element to its Portfolio of Services

Adfinis, a recognised and internationally active open source provider, and Element, a leading service provider for secure and decentralised real-time communication solutions, are entering into a partnership.

We have lift-off! Element X, Call and Server Suite are ready!

Element is launching the world’s first communications platform based on the upcoming Matrix 2.0 release. The result is blazing performance which outperforms the mainstream alternatives...

Element is combusting with excitement ahead of The Matrix Conference

Element is bursting with pride to be the anchor sponsor of The Matrix Conference, which kicks off on Thursday.

Sustainable licensing at Element with AGPL

We’ve chosen to switch our development to AGPL now that the wide scale public sector use of Matrix has attracted the attention of huge system integrators and similar.

Matthew Hodgson

BSI funds security analysis of Matrix

Matrix performs extremely well in BSI funded audit conducted by MGM Security Partners as part of CAOS initiative.

Element secures ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification

Element has successfully obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, issued by Prescient Security LLC.

Element sponsors public sector track at The Matrix Conference

Excitement around The Matrix Conference is really beginning to build! The Matrix Conference is significant as it’s the first global in-person event that The Matrix.org Foundation has created. It complements the phenomenal Matrix Community Summits that have run since 2022, and...

ESS 24.07: Enhanced deployment health monitoring and next generation authentication

We’re excited to bring you Element Server Suite (ESS) 24.07, this month’s release includes several improvements to make your organisation’s Element experience smoother and more efficient.

Ridgeline International secures Element partnership

Ridgeline International and Element have signed an agreement that makes Ridgeline Element’s primary partner in the US National Security market.

Disney’s Slack breach tells an important story

News of Disney’s alleged Slack breach shows what can happen when organisations trust centralised communications platforms that don’t use end-to-end encryption

Listen, engage and educate; no matter how long it takes

Last week we highlighted a deeply concerning development in the EU’s proposed regulation to combat child sexual abuse (aka Chat Control). The Belgian Presidency of the Council had put forward a proposal which, if agreed on, would take us closer to a world of constant scanning and surveillance.

EU’s Chat Control puts security and privacy at risk

Since it was first proposed, the EU’s Regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (aka Chat Control) has gained the attention of security experts, academics, civil society, and the private sector for all the wrong reasons.

ESS 24.05: now with Element Desktop MSIs!

In our most recent version of ESS 24.05 we’re pleased to offer a Windows MSI (Microsoft Installer) build of Element Desktop. Many larger customers prefer MSI files for software installation.

Security release: Element X Android (0.4.12) and iOS (1.6.7)

We have released security updates for Element X Android and Element X iOS to address a high-severity vulnerability. This flaw

Element Security

Resetting the server-side key backup

What is the server-side key backup?The server-side key backup is an encrypted copy of your Matrix client’s message

Element Security

Data Sovereignty

ESS 24.04 is the new LTS release

We're thrilled to announce the latest long-term support (LTS) release of Element Server Suite (24.04). This release represents a significant leap forward, especially for some of our larger customers who are using our previous LTS release of ESS which came out in October last year.

Video conferencing

Partnership with BigBlueButton for Matrix-based virtual classroom

Announcing a groundbreaking collaboration between Element and BigBlueButton, marking a significant step forward in the realm of video conferencing technology in the education sector.

Security release: Synapse 1.105.1

Today we are releasing Synapse 1.105.1, a security release to fix a High severity vulnerability. We advise you

Element Security

UNICC selects Element for secure communications

United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) has selected Element as its secure communications platform, following a competitive tender process.

Secure communications landscape is now ‘Established,’ says Forrester

The new Secure Communications Solutions Landscape Q2 2024 report, from Forrester Research, categorises Secure Communications as an ‘Established’ marketplace.

Showcasing TI-Messenger ESS at DMEA in Berlin

Element is joining Adesso at DMEA 2024 in Berlin, where we will be showcasing the TI-Messenger Element Server Suite (TIM ESS).

Element signs partnership deal with Tele2 for secure collaboration

Tele2, the Swedish network operator, has entered into a partnership agreement with Element. The partnership will see Element being provided

Video conferencing

Secure video conferencing for Matrix

79% percent of technology leaders at large organisations feel their sanctioned video conferencing tools fall short...

The EU Digital Markets Act is here.

🇪🇺 Happy DMA day, everybody! 🇪🇺 March 7th 2024 is the deadline for large messaging providers (so called ‘gatekeepers’) to comply with

Matthew Hodgson

Meet Element R: our new unified crypto implementation

We’ve created a common cryptographic library implementation in Rust - codenamed Element R - for all our Element clients.

Security release: Element Android 1.6.12

Hello, Today we have released a security update of Element Android to address a pair of vulnerabilities. Please upgrade to

Element Security

Data Sovereignty

2024 is about being in your element

In our latest ESS release (24.02), we've been laser-focused on improving our installation process for customers who self-host their servers. Find out the latest updates and stories from behind the scenes.

Danielle Kirkwood

Open letter on CSA regulation

We stand together with other European technology companies and associations to urge EU member states to align their position on the CSA Regulation to that of the Parliament.

Synapse now lives at github.com/element-hq/synapse

Element is switching to use the Affero General Public License (AGPLv3) for its future contributions to Synapse and related backend Matrix projects.

Matthew Hodgson

Data retention controls added to Admin Console!

We’re adding new functionality to Admin Console such as data retention controls, full mobile support for administrators, improvements to our audit capabilities and overall improvements to our installation process.

Element X; now with embedded VoIP!

We’ve made tremendous progress with Element X. It’s just six weeks since the Ignition release and, with this new update, Element Call is now fully embedded!

A new home and license (AGPL) for Synapse and friends

Element has chosen to pursue future development of Synapse, Dendrite and associated server-side projects under the terms of AGPLv3.

Matthew Hodgson

Secure Border Gateway: Enhanced control of your real-time communication data

The Secure Border Gateway for Matrix is a powerful add-on for Element Server Suite that reinforces the security of your data by providing capabilities to address these critical needs.

Long-term support ensures long-term success

Our latest version of Element Server Suite (23.10) is our first release to include long-term support.

Upgrade Element Desktop

Today we have released Element Desktop v1.11.45 which fixes CVE-2023-5217, a high severity vulnerability caused by the Electron dependency.

Element X: Ignition

We're announcing the first major release of Element X synchronised across both iOS and Android.

Patrick Alberts

The Future of Secure Communications

The Future of Secure Communications is available for download. Conducted by Forrester Consulting, the study highlights the serious problems organizations have with how their workforce communicates.

Preparing our customers for a new era of secure communication

Start getting ready for Element Server Suite (ESS) for the new Element X app with ESS v23.09

Element X preview is now on Android too!

We’ve released an early edition of Element X in the Google Play Store.

Matthew Hodgson

Announcing Element Server Suite (23.08): the 1st edition of our new predictable release cadence

Introducing a consistent release cadence for Element Server Suite (23.08) In the world of today’s technology, maintaining a competitive advantage requires us to walk a fine line between innovation and reliability.

Element is accessible by design

Element is creating a more accessible future for everyone. Updates include: optimising the colours, increasing the contrast and enhancing the screen reading functionality.

Danielle Kirkwood

A huge new update for Element Call Beta 3!

Discover the latest update to Element Call: enhanced scalability now supporting hundreds of users, a dynamic grid layout, Element Web/Desktop, and upcoming end-to-end encryption.

Jake Bowen-Bate

Element X - experience the future of Element!

Experience the future of Element! Element X isn’t just the fastest Matrix client ever - it’s up to 6000x faster than any other Matrix client.

Online Safety Bill

End-to-end encryption; the will of the British people

83% of UK citizens believe personal conversations on messaging apps such as Element, WhatsApp or Signal should have the highest level of security and privacy possible.

Matthew Hodgson

India bans flagship client for the Matrix network

Element is one of 14 messaging apps blocked by the Central Indian Government which - we believe from media reports - relates to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Online Safety Bill

The UK’s Online Safety Bill undermines everyone’s safety

What is proposed is not an Online Safety Bill; it is an Online Surveillance Bill.

What is Out of Band communications?

Out of Band communications should be used within the most security-conscious parts of the organization.

Online Safety Bill

The Online Safety Bill: An attack on encryption

The Online Safety Bill has some genuinely good intentions, but the proposed legislation is remarkably poor.

Matthew Hodgson

Utility companies need secure, mission critical communications

Critical infrastructure and utility companies need secure, mission critical communications to protect against potentially life threatening disruption.

BundesMessenger is a milestone in Germany’s ground-breaking vision

BundesMessenger is a modified version of Element which we’re working with BWI to develop and maintain.

dSam and eSam endorse Matrix for secure and federated communications in the Swedish public sector

Element och Matrix har deltagit i eSams utvärdering av leverantörer som godkända digitala kommunikationslösningar i kategorierna bestående chatt och videokonferens.

Element in Deloitte’s Fast 50!

Element was ranked 3rd in Deloitte’s UK Technology Women in Leadership category, and came 22nd amongst the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in the UK.

Amandine Le Pape

Important security update

Hello, Please make sure you upgrade Element immediately to address a critical security update. The update resolves two critical severity

An unrecognisable improvement: Element’s new design is here!

The redesigned layout brings big changes. With a focus on improving users' workflows, the app is now cleaner, easier to browse, and faster to navigate!

Danielle Kirkwood

Element Web/Desktop 1.11.4 - A security update, deferred DMs and more

Element Web/Desktop 1.11.4 has security fixes so please make sure you upgrade. And Deferred DMs make starting a new conversation so much better!

Element is a leader in The Forrester Wave™: Secure Communications, Q3 2022!

We’re incredibly excited to share this news! In our view, being identified as a leader in The Forrester Wave

How to solve the ‘WhatsApp at work’ problem

Workplace use of WhatsApp is an expensive habit - the SEC has issued $1B in fines. The solution is an enterprise-grade messaging and collaboration platform.

All aboard! Better FTUE for less WTF

While many understand the value of decentralised, interoperable, end-to-end encrypted chat and a whole treasure trove of communication features -

Danielle Kirkwood

Element launches Chatterbox!

We’re outrageously pleased to launch Chatterbox, an end-to-end encrypted embedded chat built on Matrix!

Drop-in, drop-out chats with Video Rooms, and a new search experience!

We're so excited to announce that Video Rooms is entering beta in Element, just as a new Room Search is exiting beta!

Element Call Beta 2: encryption, spatial audio, walkie-talkie mode and more!

Element Call Beta 2 includes encryption, spatial audio, walkie-talkie mode and lots more!

Jake Bowen-Bate

Forrester's 2022 Now Tech report on secure communications platforms includes Element

Forrester's Now Tech: Secure Communications, Q2 2022 report includes Element. The report helps enterprises build the business case for secure communications.

Frontline workers and messenger apps; how to solve shadow IT

Compared to the oversight an organisation has over its email, consumer messaging apps are the Wild West. The two most effective solutions are bridging or migration.

Our Enterprise Installer makes deploying Element on-premise easier than ever

Our new improved installer makes deploying Element On-premise easier than ever!

Introducing Threads in Beta!

All users can now opt-in to our Threads Beta! Threads helps declutter the main room timeline by moving conversations and topics into the right panel.

Danielle Kirkwood

The Digital Markets Act explained in 15 questions

What is the DMA asking for?The final text will probably be available around mid-May and voted for in early

Amandine Le Pape

A guide to navigating the Digital Markets Act

A couple of weeks ago the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Europe agreed on the main

Amandine Le Pape

A Big Step to address Big Tech

It’s a major positive to see that interoperability is now baked into the DMA.

Amandine Le Pape

Interoperability

Moderation needs a radical change

Amandine Le Pape, COO at Element, explains how Element is funding moderation tooling and development for all of Matrix. Moderation

Amandine Le Pape

Introducing Native Matrix VoIP with Element Call!

Hopefully in-person meet-ups will prove much easier in 2022 - but, there’s still a need for video calls, so

Jake Bowen-Bate

Interoperability: Open APIs are a start, Open Standard is better

The DMA is a noble piece of legislation, and mandating open APIs would be a good first step. But to be a successful piece of legislation, it must eventually choose open standard based interoperability.

Amandine Le Pape

Element launches E2EE Location Sharing

Location sharing can be seen in both a positive and negative light. Great in the sense that it provides an

Jake Bowen-Bate

FOSDEM 2022’s communication infrastructure was provided by Element Matrix Services

FOSDEM 2022 took place on Matrix 5-6 February, seeing anyone enthusiastic about free and open source software - from anywhere

Element welcomes Polls!

Polls allow anyone with ‘send messages’ permissions to post a question in the form of a poll with up to 20 possible responses.

Jake Bowen-Bate

Secure collaboration for cybersecurity teams

Imagine being a CISO, hauled into a boardroom, and asked: “Why is your team using a collaboration tool that isn’

2021: It's been a busy year for Element!

From time to time it’s worth stepping back and looking at progress.

Amandine Le Pape

Element One - all of Matrix, WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram in one place

Element One is here. Bring your WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram chats into Element.

Element 1.9.1 - Chat Export is finally here!!

We’re pleased to announce that our latest release includes the ability to export chat from all Rooms and DMs on Element Web and Desktop.

Danielle Kirkwood

EMS launches Matrix bridging for Signal

Element Matrix Services (EMS) now offers a fully-managed bridge for Signal.

Spaces blast out of beta

Spaces rethink grouping rooms and people, fundamentally improving Element and Matrix to better group conversations instead of viewing all rooms all of the time.

EMS launches fully managed Matrix bridging for WhatsApp

Element Matrix Services (EMS) now offers a fully-managed bridge for WhatsApp.

Introducing Element Voice Messages, all new VoIP, and so much more...

We’re incredibly excited to release major new versions of Element across all three platforms, introducing Voice Messages as a first class citizen!

Matthew Hodgson

Element raises $30M as Matrix explodes!

Element has raised $30M of Series B funding, led by Protocol Labs and Metaplanet. Automattic and Notion Capital are also participating in the round.

Amandine Le Pape

Element is best on-premise alternative as Skype for Business Server hits EOL

A guide to on-premise alternatives as Skype for Business Server nears End of Life.

Microsoft Teams and Slack integration using Matrix

Element Matrix Services now offers fully managed bridges for both Microsoft Teams and Slack. Connect Element to both, and you can integrate Slack and Microsoft Teams via Matrix.

Spaces: The next frontier

We’re launching Spaces— the next frontier for how to group rooms and people in Element and Matrix. Join the public beta!

Universal universities

On the open Matrix network, possibilities for academia are endless; read our blog how education can become more accessible, inclusive and open for everyone.

EMS launches bridging for Microsoft Teams

After offering bridges to Discord, Slack and Telegram, Element Matrix Services (EMS) is now launching Microsoft Teams Bridging.

Welcome, Element Home!

We’ve launched a brand new version of Element, called Element Home!

FOSDEM on Matrix

We’re very proud to have sponsored FOSDEM this year, and to have had extra skin in the game by helping FOSDEM go virtual.

Element suspended on Google Play Store: now resolved.

Hi all, At 2021-01-29 at 21:35 UTC Google suspended Element from the Play Store without warning or notification. We

Matthew Hodgson

EMS announces full availability of Slack Bridging

Fully managed Slack Bridging lets EMS customers bring their Slack users straight into the open Matrix network

EMS brings harmony to Discord

EMS is now providing hosting for a fully managed bridge for text-based conversations in Discord.

2021 escalated quickly

The first week of 2021 has sped the adoption of decentralised real time communication.

EMS brings more interoperability to messaging

EMS is now providing hosting for a fully managed bridge for Telegram that supports both direct and group messaging.

Element Matrix Services simplifies Slack migration

Element Matrix Services (EMS) is releasing a new service to help organisations migrate from Slack to Element.

Here comes the missing communication layer of the web

The Digital Markets Act is pushing interoperability between messaging apps; it's a major win for consumers.

Amandine Le Pape

Preparing data for a choppy sea crossing

‘When the tide goes out you can see who’s been swimming naked’ is an appropriate adage for organisations’ data

Announcing the Element public roadmap

We’re publishing the Element public roadmap in a new public repository and project board that anyone can access.

Gitter goes native!

Native Matrix connectivity for Gitter is a proof point for interoperability between messenger apps.

BwMessenger goes live for Bundeswehr!

BWI and Bundeswehr launches Matrix-based communications platform, BwMessenger.

Gitter is joining Element

When GitLab proposed that Gitter could be stronger as part of the Matrix network, we knew we couldn’t miss the chance!

Amandine Le Pape

Element 1.7.8 is out!

Highlights from Element Web 1.7.6, 1.7.7 and 1.7.8

A vision for every Element in the NHS Matrix

Matrix can be the open protocol that brings instant - and cost-free - interoperability for real time communications across the NHS.

Privacy shield judgement points to a decentralised future

In something reminiscent of David and Goliath, the stone of Max Schrems’ landmark legal challenge has shattered the Privacy Shield that protects centralised service providers.

Bonjour, Element on Android!

Element is built in Kotlin, so it has a much smaller and more maintainable codebase. The biggest focus has been on improving the user experience.

Matthew Hodgson

Welcome to Element!

Hi everyone, We are incredibly excited to announce that Riot is now Element! In fact we have simplified all our

Amandine Le Pape

Element brings Matrix to Europe

Although Element is working with companies around the world, our busiest region is Europe and in particular European governments and

Riot Web 1.6.6 is out!

Hey lovely Riot folks, Welcome to the Riot Web 1.6.6 update. This is a relatively incremental release, but

The world is changing...

Hi all, It's almost four years since we launched Riot, and it's been a crazy journey - going from a

Matthew Hodgson

Riot Web 1.6.3 - a security update, shortcuts, toasts (and rageshakes)

Hello everyone! We’ve released a few updates for Riot today, grouped under the logically titled 1.6.3 (guess

Modular expands bridges and integrations

From day one we’ve strived to ensure that Modular is the quickest and easiest way to securely host Riot

Matthew Hodgson

Automattic backs Matrix by investing $4.6M in New Vector!

We're very excited to announce that Automattic, the creator of WordPress, is making a $4.6M strategic investment in New

Amandine Le Pape

Riot Web 1.6, RiotX Android 0.19 & Riot iOS 0.11 — E2E Encryption by Default & Cross-signing is here!!

Hi folks, We are incredibly excited to present the biggest change in Riot ever: as of the last 24 hours

Matthew Hodgson

Modular goes global, adds new customers and introduces annual billing

We’ve brought forward our global expansion plans, launching regionally-based Modular operations in both the United States and Singapore to

Matthew Hodgson

Seven questions to ask yourself about the collaboration tools you chose (before someone asks you first)

Nagging feeling you chose the wrong collaboration tool? Here are seven questions you should ask.

Looking sharper!

Hey Riot users, We’ve seen a massive spike in video conferencing in Riot so far this week: ...and the

High quality video conferencing from Modular

Introducing a brand new high quality video conferencing service at no additional cost! Widespread remote working has rapidly increased the

Matthew Hodgson

Remote schooling: Health safety measures shouldn’t put our kids’ privacy at risk.

As everyone is taking drastic measures to halt the spread of Covid19, online collaboration is even more of a critical

Amandine Le Pape

Mozilla selects Modular and Riot to power their community instant messaging

After a formal 1-month trial of 4 different platforms, we are very excited that Mozilla have announced their decision to

Amandine Le Pape

Riot Web 1.5 — Big accessibility improvements, and introducing CIDER: our brand new message composer!

Riot Web 1.5 is out now, landing our brand new message composer with improved accessibility, increased language compatibilty and

$8.5M to accelerate Matrix, polish Riot and expand Modular!

The need for decentralised encrypted communication is becoming critical, as the pressure mounts on the big centralised communication silos to

Amandine Le Pape

Personal Hosted Homeservers have landed!!

Hi all, Ever since Modular launched we’ve been working away on offering smaller dedicated Matrix server hosting than our

Matthew Hodgson

Build your own custom branded chat platform at the touch of a button!

Today we are pleased to announce that you can now customise your Element Matrix Services (EMS) hosted Element at the

HipChat migration - Don't follow the herd

As you may be aware, the deadline is fast approaching when Atlassian will discontinue support for Stride and HipChat, on

Matthew Hodgson

Featured Posts

The EU Digital Markets Act is here.

🇪🇺 Happy DMA day, everybody! 🇪🇺 March 7th 2024 is the deadline

Matthew Hodgson

Gitter is joining Element

When GitLab proposed that Gitter could be stronger as part of the Matrix network, we knew we couldn’t miss the chance!

Amandine Le Pape

Element is the fast, simple and private way to communicate with family, friends, teams, colleagues, organisations and the wider world.

Thanks for reading our blog— if you got this far, you should head toelement.ioto learn more!

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