A recently recorded outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) disrupted several major online services worldwide, including privacy-focused communication apps such as Signal. The event has sparked renewed discussion about the risks of depending on centralized systems for critical digital communication.
Signal is known globally for its strong encryption and commitment to privacy. However, its centralized structure means that all its operations rely on servers located within a single jurisdiction and primarily managed by one cloud provider. When that infrastructure fails, the app’s global availability is affected at once. This incident has demonstrated that even highly secure applications can experience disruption if they depend on a single service provider.
According to experts working on decentralized communication technology, this kind of breakdown reveals a fundamental flaw in the way most modern communication apps are built. They argue that centralization makes systems easier to control but also easier to compromise. If the central infrastructure goes offline, every user connected to it is impacted simultaneously.
Developers behind the Matrix protocol, an open-source network for decentralized communication, have long emphasized the need for more resilient systems. They explain that Matrix allows users to communicate without relying entirely on the internet or on a single server. Instead, the protocol enables anyone to host their own server or connect through smaller, distributed networks. This decentralization offers users more control over their data and ensures communication can continue even if a major provider like AWS faces an outage.
The first platform built on Matrix, Element, was launched in 2016 by a UK-based team with the aim of offering encrypted communication for both individuals and institutions. For years, Element’s primary focus was to help governments and organizations secure their communication systems. This focus allowed the project to achieve financial stability while developing sustainable, privacy-preserving technologies.
Now, with growing support and new investments, the developers behind Matrix are working toward expanding the technology for broader public use. Recent funding from European institutions has been directed toward developing peer-to-peer and mesh network communication, which could allow users to exchange messages without relying on centralized servers or continuous internet connectivity. These networks create direct device-to-device links, potentially keeping users connected during internet blackouts or technical failures.
Mesh-based communication is not a new idea. Previous applications like FireChat allowed people to send messages through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct during times when the internet was restricted. The concept gained popularity during civil movements where traditional communication channels were limited. More recently, other developers have experimented with similar models, exploring ways to make decentralized communication more user-friendly and accessible.
While decentralized systems bring clear advantages in terms of resilience and independence, they also face challenges. Running individual servers or maintaining peer-to-peer networks can be complex, requiring technical knowledge that many everyday users might not have. Developers acknowledge that reaching mainstream adoption will depend on simplifying these systems so they work as seamlessly as centralized apps.
Other privacy-focused technology leaders have also noted the implications of the AWS outage. They argue that relying on infrastructure concentrated within a few major U.S. providers poses strategic and privacy risks, especially for regions like Europe that aim to maintain digital autonomy. Building independent, regionally controlled cloud and communication systems is increasingly being seen as a necessary step toward safeguarding user privacy and operational security.
The recent AWS disruption serves as a clear warning. Centralized systems, no matter how secure, remain vulnerable to large-scale failures. As the digital world continues to depend heavily on cloud-based infrastructure, developing decentralized and distributed alternatives may be key to ensuring communication remains secure, private, and resilient in the face of future outages.
