Matrix (communication protocol)

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Matrix (communication protocol)
Matrix logo.svg
Family: Internet protocol family
Field of application: Messaging, chat
Based on HTTP , WebRTC
Introduction: 2014
Developer: The Matrix.org Foundation

Matrix is an open communication protocol for real-time communication . It was designed to allow users with accounts with a communication service provider to communicate with users of other service providers using chat , IP telephony and video telephony . It should enable seamless communication between different service providers.

From a technical point of view, it is an application layer communication protocol for federated real-time communication. It offers HTTP APIs and open source reference implementations for the secure distribution and storage of messages in JSON format in an open network of servers. It can connect to standard web services via WebRTC and thus supports browser-to-browser applications.

Other approaches to defining an open instant messaging or multimedia signaling protocol of this type, such as XMPP or IRCv3 , encountered significant challenges, both technical and political. It is unclear whether there is enough demand from users for services that enable interoperability between service providers.

development

The development of Matrix is ​​led by Matrix.org, a UK non-profit initiative. She wants to turn Matrix into an open standard for decentralized, persistent and interoperable communication over the Internet. Matrix targets use cases such as IP telephony, Internet of Things and instant messaging, including group communication and, in the long term, as a generic messaging and data synchronization system for the web. The protocol supports security and replication, the keeping of the complete conversation and all that without central control authorities. Existing communication services can be integrated into the matrix environment.

There are programs for instant messaging (IM), Voice over IP (VoIP) and Internet of Things (IoT).

Matrix won the “Innovation Award” at the WebRTC 2014 Conference & Expo and the “Best in Show Award” at the WebRTC World in 2015.

The French government decided to support the development of Matrix in spring 2018 .

protocol

The Matrix standard specifies RESTful HTTP APIs for the secure transmission and replication of JSON data between Matrix-enabled clients, servers and services. Clients send data via PUT to a group (called 'room') on their server, which replicates this data to all matrix servers participating in that "room". This data is signed with a Git-type signature to prevent manipulation. The federated traffic is encrypted with HTTPS and signed with the private keys of all servers to prevent spoofing . The replication follows a final consistency semantics . This means that messages are also delivered when the server was offline and despite data loss due to a data comparison with other servers.

The Olm library offers an optional end-to-end encryption from room to room using a double ratchet algorithm implementation. This means that saved conversation data can only be read by room participants. If this is configured, data transported via Matrix are only visible to the Matrix server as ciphertext . They can only be read by authorized participants in the room. The libraries Olm and Megolm (an Olm extension for larger chat rooms) were checked in a cryptographic review by the NCC Group and the results were published and addressed by the Matrix team. The review was funded by the Open Technology Fund .

Implementations

Element (previously Riot ) is the main client for the Matrix protocol. As a reference implementation, the Synapse server software shows the concept of Matrix and saves the users' personal chat histories and account information. In contrast to centralized platforms such as WhatsApp or Skype , users can operate their own matrix home server and control their own communication or use the home server of another operator (e.g. matrix.org).

In France , a matrix-based messenger is to be used in all ministries and agencies at national level (estimated 5.5 million users). The specially developed client is a fork of the client element . Productive tests started in summer 2018, and a nationwide rollout started in spring 2019. Prior to this, key functions were further developed or supplemented. The authority for security in information technology, ANSSI , checked the source code, malware scanners and antivirus software were added. At the start of the system, which was planned exclusively for government employees , a hacker managed to create a user account in the messenger called Tchap .

The Bundeswehr also decided to switch to Matrix in May 2020.

There are many other clients, bots , bridges , servers, and other implementations of the Matrix protocol.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Jan Weisensee: Real-time communication tried out: Welcome to the matrix. In: golem.de. Golem.de , March 7, 2017, accessed May 4, 2018 .
  2. ↑ a b Nathan Willis: Matrix: a new specification for federated realtime chat (en) . In: LWN.net , February 11, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015. 
  3. ↑ Adrian Bridgwater: Matrix.org reloads Inside "illusion of control" Vortex (s) . In: Dr. Dobb's Journal , September 9, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2020. 
  4. ^ Andrew Prokop: Solving the WebRTC Interoperability Problem - Post (en) . In: No Jitter , February 23, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2015. 
  5. ↑ Ian Scales: To interop or not to interop? Is Matrix.org the answer for silo'd comms services? (en) . In: TelecomTV , May 11, 2015. Accessed June 22, 2015. 
  6. ^ Matt Weinberger: Matrix wants to smash the walled gardens of messaging (en) . In: ITworld , September 16, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2015. 
  7. ↑ Matrix. In: crunchbase.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018 .
  8. ↑ Mela Eckenfels: Matrix in the test. In: linux-magazin.de. Linux Magazine , May 2016, accessed May 4, 2018 .
  9. ↑ Award Winners of the WebRTC 2014 Conference & Expo - Upperside Blog . In: WebRTC , December 23, 2014. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved June 28, 2015. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / blog.uppersideconferences.com 
  10. ^ Phil Edholm: WebRTC World Miami Wrap Up and Review. In: webrtcworld.com. May 18, 2015, accessed May 4, 2018 .
  11. ↑ Ksenia Ermoshina, Francesca Musiani, Harry Halpin: End-to-End Encrypted Messaging Protocols: An Overview . In: INSCI 2016 . Springer, Florence 2016, ISBN 978-3-319-45982-0 , pp. 244-254 , doi : 10.1007 / 978-3-319-45982-0_22 (English).
  12. ^ Matrix Olm Cryptographic Review. NCC Group, accessed October 20, 2018 .
  13. ↑ Matrix's 'Olm' End-to-end Encryption security assessment released - and implemented cross-platform on Riot at last! | Matrix.org. Retrieved October 20, 2018 (American English).
  14. ↑ project page on matrix.org. In: matrix.org. Retrieved June 13, 2019 .
  15. ↑ project page on github. Retrieved June 13, 2019 .
  16. ↑ Instead of Whatsapp: France moves into the matrix - Golem.de. Accessed December 11, 2019 (German).
  17. ↑ heise online: Tchap: France's (not so) exclusive government. Accessed December 11, 2019 (German).
  18. ↑ golem.de: Bundeswehr wants to switch completely to matrix chat. Retrieved on May 12, 2020 (German).
  19. ↑ Try Matrix Now! In: matrix.org. Retrieved June 13, 2019 .