Solidarity Social operates a Bluesky PDS and uses Matrix for private DMs

Solidarity Social, a Bluesky community based on use of the Solidar App and Solidar personal data server (PDS), is combining the AT Protocol and Matrix open standards to offer Bluesky users an app with end-to-end encrypted direct messages. It intends to be a hub within Bluesky for people building solidarity and organising action for progress on social justice, human rights, human dignity and democracy.

The Solidar app is derived from the Bluesky app and combines the AT Protocol with the Matrix open standard for secure decentralised communications. The app allows individuals to store their user profile, posts, follows and other social network data on a Solidar PDS, and use a Matrix server of their choice for secure direct messaging.

Users can opt for Solidarity Social’s default Matrix server, or their own existing Matrix account (and server) - a concept Solidarity Social calls Bring Your Own Matrix Account (BYOMA). The Matrix account used can be switched to another at any time. No other social network offers direct control of the servers used for encrypted messaging.

The default Matrix server for Solidarity Social is Element Server Suite Pro managed by Element Creations Ltd on behalf of The Matrix Foundation. The Solidar app roadmap includes adding Matrix-based group chat, and Matrix-based voice and video calls.

Solidarity Social is a space where movements advancing justice, democracy and resisting authoritarianism around the globe can find each other, collaborate safely, and rise together. The combination of a Bluesky PDS and Matrix end-to-end encrypted communication enables novel modes for public engagement by linking public facing social networking to secure chat.

Solidarity Social works with security and privacy of civic groups, unions, electoral campaigns, organizers, and communities, to provide an alternative to centralised collaboration tools that are subject to service denial and surveillance. Solidarity Social helps movements like No Kings, May Day Strong, and trainers like Freedom Trainers, to expand the organiser toolbox with online actions in order to build solidarity faster and at greater scale.

The service runs without investors or advertising. It is supported by usage-based pricing that works out to approximately $8 USD per year (less than $1 USD per month), for most Bluesky users.