Element is literally a private, for-profit company. And they’re asking for donations and public funding?
The Matrix.org is Community Interest Company registered in UK, and its full name is THE MATRIX.ORG FOUNDATION C.I.C., please, consider this as a proof proof.
Given this information, I would guess it’s relatively safe to donate/give funding to the Matrix.org because its financial flows should be protected by UK law.
BUT, it seems they never made a full report of incomes/spendings, the first one is expected in April 2024. But it’s already April 2024, and I don’t see a report. Anyway, it’s better to read original Issue in regard of such things, I might understood it incorrectly
Private, for-profit, and let’s not forget antagonistic to the GDPR.
Imagine having NATO, one of the largest organisations in the world, leeching off your open source project, lol.
Imagine Apple making you agree to not use iTunes to make nuclear weapons… oh wait…