Matrix was built to become the open communication of the web and serve everyone. But, as the Internet and email did, its network effect started with governments. Today, and as proven by the audience in the room, most European governments and several others are either using it or looking at implementing it for their communications. This talk will tell the story of how we got there and why.
I think a messaging server should store messages only until they are delivered. It shouldn’t have access to who sent it, only where they are going.
Matrix keeps a massive stack of metadata on the server, because the server takes care of the protocol and it needs all that metadata.
However you can’t loose data you never aggregated.
Matrix can be configured to clear logs and history on whatver basis you want it to. XMPP is a bit better by default but its not like you can’t log messages on a regular basis from any platform. Its up to server operators to set things up securely.
I know that you can configure synapse to delete messages. However every federated server only operates on their own delete scedule and you as the reciever can’t see the messages then anymore. Which I think is stupid.
The messages should only be stored on the reciever device after they were delivered and deleted on the transfering server.
You can’t really force other people’s servers to delete messages on any platform though. Nor can you force it in other people’s clients even if they’re on your server.