Matrix, the open communication protocol, is quietly becoming the messaging layer of choice for governments pursuing digital sovereignty. The protocol handles one-to-one and group messaging, encrypted VoIP calls, and video conferencing, and has been gaining traction since its separation from telecoms vendor Amdocs in 2014. Co-founders Matthew Hodgson and Amandine le Pape report that Matrix is currently in discussions with approximately 35 countries about adopting FOSS communications infrastructure.

Matrix operates through two main entities: Matrix.org, the nonprofit foundation behind the protocol, and Element, the commercial client app and server software provider. The open nature of Matrix allows anyone to implement the protocol, with clients like Thunderbird natively supporting it since version 102 in 2022. This flexibility has led to widespread adoption without users necessarily knowing they're using Matrix, as it's integrated into various tools and applications.

Government adoption spans multiple continents, with the United Nations using Matrix for air-gapped communications, the International Criminal Court switching from Microsoft Office to OpenDesk with Element chat, and Switzerland's postal service and Austrian healthcare system implementing it. France's government digital workspace La Suite uses Matrix components for chat and video conferencing. The protocol's version 2.0, released in late 2024, brings faster sync and multi-user video capabilities through Element Call, with the Rust-based Element X mobile client using it by default where available.

Quick Fact: Matrix protocol separated from Amdocs in 2014.