This makes the App a no-go for everyone and their grandmother. The registration and setup process was so cumbersome, even people with some tech knowledge in my friend circle had trouble getting it to work.
Anyway, it seems so user hostile, why not just make connecting a phone number optional? That would attract many more people?
I couldn't find anything on https://matrix.org/blog/2022/09/28/upgrade-now-to-address-en...
That said, I am personally not so keen on using matrix. Remember India government banned matrix and other apps for "facilitating terrorist communications".
Ah... the joys of democracy.