The

Freezone.group is a self-hosted Matrix server. Registration is invite-only, and all messages are end-to-end encrypted.

Hosted by me as a private, friends-only alternative to chat platforms like Discord.
The goal being to create a space with no ads, no tracking or profiteering.

How it works

Everything happens in rooms. Rooms can be grouped into spaces. There are some shared spaces you can explore and join, but they're entirely optional. If you just want to message your friends privately, DMs are all you need.

Your account lives on this server (freezone.group). You connect using any client you like. The client handles encryption, the server just stores and relays.

Matrix servers can federate, and while Freezone.group does not connect with the outer network (such as matrix.org), friends who want their own home server are welcome. I'm happy to help set one up and federate with us, while staying closed to the wider network.

Capabilities

Files and media

You can send files freely in any chat. Here's how storage works:

• Upload individual files up to 1 GB each
• Any file older than 90 days is deleted
• If your total uploads exceed 4 GB, your oldest files are deleted until you're back within quota
• Your smallest uploads each month, summed up to 100 MB, are kept forever, so small things like code files, text files and snippets are safe from cleanup

These limits keep hosting costs low enough that I can easily absorb the costs myself and keep the service running indefinitely. And since the service is friends-only, the user base stays small enough for me to offer quick, personal support whenever something needs fixing.

Getting started

1. Pick a client

   Any client works. Browse the Matrix client list. The featured ones are the safest starting point.

   Personal picks: Element Desktop for computers, Element X for phones.

2. Register
   1. Open the client and choose Register / Create account
   2. Change the homeserver. The default is matrix.org, change it to freezone.group
   3. Pick a username, lowercase and no spaces (display name can be anything after registering)
   4. Set a strong password
   5. Enter the registration key. Contact me and I'll give you one.
3. Back up your encryption key

   If you log out without backing up, your key is gone. You can still log in and chat (a new key is generated), but all previous messages become permanently unreadable.

   You can back up your key by going into

   All settings → Encryption → Backup encryption key

4. Add friends

   Matrix addresses take the form @username:freezone.group. Click Start a chat and type your friend's full address to reach them.

5. Verify each other

   Verification mathematically proves you're talking directly to your friend, not a man-in-the-middle listening in. It works by comparing emojis over a secondary channel.

   1. Open the chat → click the room info (i)
   2. Click People, then click your friend
   3. Click Verify user → Start verification (your friend must accept)
   4. Choose Verify by emoji

   Both of you will see a set of emojis. Screenshot yours and share them with that friend via another platform. Comparing inside the Matrix chat itself doesn't help, as an impersonator can just tell you the emojis match even if they don't, or send a faked screenshot of matching emojis.

   • Same emojis: you are mathematically guaranteed to be talking directly to each other.
   • Different emojis: something is very wrong. Stop communicating with that person in this chat.