Is Element Safe? Security Review
5/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Element/Matrix is one of the most secure and private messaging platforms available. Its decentralized, self-hostable design gives users maximum control. It is used by the French and German governments for secure communication.
Element is the flagship client for the Matrix protocol, an open-source, decentralized communication network. It offers end-to-end encryption, self-hosting options, and is used by governments and organizations requiring high security.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 5/5 | |
| Privacy | 5/5 | |
| Track Record | 4/5 |
Security Features
- End-to-end encryption via Megolm/Olm (based on Signal Protocol concepts)
- Decentralized architecture (no single point of failure)
- Self-hosting option for complete data sovereignty
- Cross-signed device verification
- Open-source and independently auditable
- Used by French government and German military
Privacy Concerns
- Metadata visible to homeserver operators (mitigated by self-hosting)
- Federation means messages traverse multiple servers
- Complexity of setup may lead to misconfiguration
Past Security Incidents
- 2019 breach of Matrix.org homeserver exposed unencrypted messages and password hashes (encrypted messages were not compromised)
- Response was transparent and led to significant security improvements
How to Stay Safe Using Element
- Verify devices using cross-signing
- Use a trusted or self-hosted homeserver
- Enable encryption for all rooms
- Back up your encryption keys securely
Safer Alternatives
- Signal (simpler to use)
- Session (onion-routed, no phone number)
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Last updated: February 10, 2026