Matrix has optional encryption and is difficult for non-tech savvy users to setup.
That puts them at the mercy of tech users, and without mandatory encryption it makes people much more vulnerable.
That said, I use Matrix myself, mainly to use WhatsApp without using WhatsApp. I also built a translation plugin to use an LLM for translating to any language in a natural tone, with audio voice transcriptions and auto-translations of my voice messages to the target language.
So I like Matrix but still would recommend Signal.
Matrix has optional encryption and is difficult for non-tech savvy users to setup.
That puts them at the mercy of tech users, and without mandatory encryption it makes people much more vulnerable.
That said, I use Matrix myself, mainly to use WhatsApp without using WhatsApp. I also built a translation plugin to use an LLM for translating to any language in a natural tone, with audio voice transcriptions and auto-translations of my voice messages to the target language.
So I like Matrix but still would recommend Signal.
Encryption is enabled by default in most sane clients for DMs. Groups are not by default because encryption in huge groups is slow.
And if you use a public server it’s not that hard to set up.