Jabber/XMPP: 25 Years of Digital Independence

In the world of digital communication, there exists a protocol that has been around for over 25 years, known as the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). This standard has played a crucial role in enabling interoperability and vendor independence in online communication. Developed by Element, formerly known as Riot and NewVector, XMPP-based solutions offer features such as self-hosting and federation, which are similar to other communication platforms.

The importance of open standards in digital communication cannot be overstated. By setting and adhering to standards, organizations like the ISO, IETF, W3C, and Unicode Consortium ensure that different vendors can work together, preventing any single company from gaining an unfair advantage. This mutual cooperation helps maintain a level playing field and encourages healthy competition.

While open-source software can help ensure that communication tools are not spyware and that end-to-end encryption is sound, it is not enough to guarantee true infrastructure. Self-hosting should be a viable option, just as owning a home should be an option alongside individual ownership. Treating digital communication as a true infrastructure requires adopting and mandating open standards, like XMPP, to create a more independent and democratic digital landscape.