Discord
Are you fleeing the onslaught of intrusive Discord verification policies? Are you trying to avoid the algorithmic profiling of your private life? While Discord aims to roll both out, one rival stands against them, and it's much stronger than people realize.
Discord has served the internet well, but while it has the first-mover advantage and a truly gargantuan influence over online culture, it's run by one corporation and, like many before it, is subject to the same corporate whims and policies that slowly strangled the life out of their communities.
There's a well-established alternative that's been flying under the radar for years now, whose goals aren't intrusive but instead are to build a better, more secure, and private system—isn't that what we all want?
Discord wants to verify your age
In recent weeks, Discord signaled its intent to roll out an age verification system that concerns all 560 million of its users (2023 figures). While they have expressly stated that most will remain unaffected , it hasn't stopped the backlash.
For those wishing to access adult content—which Discord maintains is the minority—they want to scan your face and your government ID , which rightfully makes some uncomfortable.
While Discord insists that its process respects users' privacy, its Zendesk breach in late 2025 hints otherwise, where 70,000 government IDs found their way into the hands of attackers, and some report the incident as far worse .
Regardless of what side of the age verification fence you stand on, the web is changing fast, and most users can feel it. From an influx of AI slop to encroaching surveillance, even benign efforts can seem dubious, and Discord's push will naturally draw criticism.
So, if you're not ready to hand over your government-issued papers to Discord, there are options, and yes, it's FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) to the rescue once again.
What is Matrix?
Matrix isn't an app; instead, it's an open, federated , encrypted communications protocol that applications build upon. In simple terms, it's a way for programs to communicate securely without a centralized system (like Discord). It's the foundation for a potentially much larger ecosystem and a more private future.
But how do you use it? The mainstream option is to use a chat client like Element , which is very Discord-like. The Matrix protocol (and thus the apps that employ it) supports real-time messages, VoIP, video, and many other modern, rich features.
At the heart of Matrix is the "federation," which is like peer-to-peer, except servers (not clients) communicate with each other. In Matrix-speak, these are called homeservers , and they're where you register an account. When you do that, the server will relay all your messages across the Matrix network, reaching the servers where your friends are—so it doesn't matter which one you choose. The result is an interlinked system of servers, where none have the power to control the entire network.
The Matrix network is decentralized, and there is no official list of servers. There are many unlisted private servers, but some people make lists of open, public servers—for example, joinmatrix.org .
In short, Matrix is a decentralized carrier for encrypted communications, which many compatible chat clients use. You pick a client and a homeserver, then use it like a typical chat application.
There are dozens of clients to choose from, whether it's for desktop, web, or mobile. The Matrix website maintains a list of them , where Element is the most popular choice. My recommendation is to start with Element Web (web-based client) because it's straightforward and very similar to Discord.
How do Matrix servers get around unwanted age verification?
Regardless of what motivated Discord to implement age verification, many big platforms are heading in the same direction. If an organization wishes to remain operational in countries like the UK, and probably the USA soon, it needs to abide by their laws and restrict access to adult material.
The Matrix.org Foundation doesn't have that problem, because while they're legally responsible for their homeserver , they're not responsible for the other (federated) nodes on the network, which must respect only the jurisdiction they operate in . Anyone can run them—including you or your friends.
For Matrix, you have two simple options: either find or host a homeserver in a country that does not enforce intrusive obligations. Yes, you can host your own node, and yes, it will connect to the wider Matrix network, allowing you to communicate freely with your friends anywhere.
Matrix also has a bridge feature, which lets servers link up to other third-party platforms, like WhatsApp, Telegram, IRC, and even Discord.
If you don't host a homeserver yourself, there are many third-party options to choose from, and some include bridges when you sign up.
But is Matrix as good as Discord?
The answer is subjective, and only you can be the judge, but modern clients like Element provide a very feature-rich interface that's similar in style to Discord. It provides spaces (similar to Discord servers), threaded messages, file sharing, and modern conveniences like images and videos.
Matrix goes one better, though, and clients like Element provide true end-to-end encryption (E2EE), which means only you and your friends can read the messages, but the homeserver you connect to cannot. One-to-one messages are E2EE by default , and so are new private rooms—ensuring that only invited members can read the content.
Hosting a room can be fully private, whether you host it on a custom homeserver or a third-party one.
What I love about Matrix the most is that it's FOSS. The Matrix.org Foundation is fast becoming a juggernaut, ensuring its development continues long into the future. There are no corporate-first decisions, and instead, decisions tend to be in the spirit of FOSS .
If you're worried about intrusions into your digital life, then Matrix isn't just a recommendation—it's the perfect solution. You only need to convince your friends to move over, create a free account, and join the 180 million already registered users .
There is nothing to lose and everything to gain, so head over to Element Web's homepage and try it out.
