Welcoming Discord users amidst the challenge of Age Verification
Source: Hacker News
We’ve seen a huge spike in sign‑ups on the matrix.org homeserver over the last few days, following Discord’s announcement that it will age‑verify all users next month.
We’re happy to welcome the influx of users trying Matrix as an open, decentralised alternative to centralised platforms like Discord.
What makes Matrix different?
- Open standard – Like email or the Web, anyone can run a server and use any client while staying on the global Matrix network.
- Federation – Servers interoperate, so you can communicate across the whole ecosystem.
- Privacy‑first – End‑to‑end encryption for messages, files, and calls; most clients are open source.
Legal obligations: age verification
Server admins must comply with the laws of the jurisdiction in which they operate.
In practice, this means that servers with open registration must verify the ages of users in countries that require it (e.g., the UK’s Online Safety Act, Australia, New Zealand, the EU, and upcoming legislation in the US and Canada).
How we handle it on matrix.org
- The homeserver is not a service aimed at children; our Terms of Use require users to be 18 years or older.
- Self‑declaration is insufficient for many jurisdictions, so we are evaluating privacy‑preserving verification methods.
- As a free service, we must balance compliance costs with sustainability.
Premium accounts – an optional way to verify
If you want a verified account and to support our work, you can upgrade to a Premium account (paid with a credit card).
- Premium accounts are being rolled out in phases.
- If you’re on an older account and don’t see the upgrade option, please email support@matrix.org to request an upgrade.
Account portability
We are working on account portability, which will let users move their accounts to another server of their choice. This:
- Gives you more freedom to pick a server that matches your needs.
- Reduces load on the matrix.org homeserver.
New Matrix Spec Change proposals (MSCs) outlining this feature are expected in the coming weeks.
Current client landscape
While no client yet offers a full drop‑in replacement for Discord, several are getting closer:
| Client | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Element | Most feature‑rich, backed by the core Matrix team (focus on public‑sector deployments). |
| Cinny | Modern UI, good for casual chat. |
| Commet | Emphasises community‑oriented features. |
Missing Discord‑style features (still in the roadmap):
- Game streaming
- Push‑to‑talk & voice channels
- Custom emoji
- Extensible presence
- Richer hierarchical moderation
Because Matrix is an open protocol, anyone can build on existing clients to add these features.
TL;DR
- Welcome to everyone trying Matrix for the first time!
- Public Matrix servers must comply with age‑verification laws where they operate.
- You can upgrade to a Premium account for verification and to support us.
- Account portability is coming, giving you the freedom to run your own server.
- The ecosystem is growing—feel free to explore clients, contribute, or start your own project.
Remember: Running your own server is always an option. We encourage you to assess your legal obligations and seek advice where needed.
Enjoy Matrix! 🚀
The Foundation needs you
The Matrix.org Foundation is a non‑profit and only relies on donations to operate. Its core mission is to maintain the Matrix Specification, but it does much more than that.
It maintains the matrix.org homeserver and hosts several bridges for free. It fights for our collective rights to digital privacy and dignity.