> With Matrix/<other-federated>, it simply wouldn't be possible for a hostile actor to claim ownership of their channels
Can't matrix.org staff hijack rooms hosted on the matrix.org homeserver?
Can't matrix.org staff hijack rooms hosted on the matrix.org homeserver?
You may be suggesting that matrix.org could, for example, block access to the gentoo.org server (or a subset of its rooms). In that scenario users could choose a new homeserver (and not necessarily the same one) in order to regain access, instead of the entire channel having to migrate.
In the incredibly unlikely event where every homeserver on the internet is blocking gentoo.org, gentoo.org could simply allow user registration.
With IRC you are forced to trust the network operator with both your account and channel. Matrix gives you the option to trust someone else with both, neither, or either.