diff --git a/synapse/handlers/sync.py b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
index 32e53c2d2..405ca7988 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/sync.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/sync.py
@@ -929,7 +929,6 @@ class SyncHandler:
             for e in sync_config.filter_collection.filter_room_state(
                 list(state.values())
             )
-            if e.type != EventTypes.Aliases  # until MSC2261 or alternative solution
         }
 
     async def unread_notifs_for_room_id(
diff --git a/synapse/storage/__init__.py b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
index bbff3c8d5..7bf4f1e11 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/__init__.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ class Storage:
         # rewrite all the existing code to split it into high vs low level
         # interfaces.
         self.main = stores.main
+        self.hs = hs
 
         self.purge_events = PurgeEventsStorage(hs, stores)
         self.state = StateGroupStorage(hs, stores)
diff --git a/synapse/visibility.py b/synapse/visibility.py
index 527365498..60b41a323 100644
--- a/synapse/visibility.py
+++ b/synapse/visibility.py
@@ -97,6 +97,10 @@ async def filter_events_for_client(
                 room_id
             ] = await storage.main.get_retention_policy_for_room(room_id)
 
+    # meow: let admins see secret events like org.matrix.dummy_event, m.room.aliases
+    #       and events expired by the retention policy.
+    filter_override = user_id in storage.hs.config.meow.filter_override
+
     def allowed(event):
         """
         Args:
@@ -115,7 +119,7 @@ async def filter_events_for_client(
         # because, if this is not the case, we're probably only checking if the users can
         # see events in the room at that point in the DAG, and that shouldn't be decided
         # on those checks.
-        if filter_send_to_client:
+        if filter_send_to_client and not filter_override:
             if event.type == "org.matrix.dummy_event":
                 return None
 
@@ -141,6 +145,10 @@ async def filter_events_for_client(
 
                     if event.origin_server_ts < oldest_allowed_ts:
                         return None
+        # meow: even with filter_override, we want to filter ignored users
+        elif filter_send_to_client and not event.is_state() and event.sender in ignore_list:
+            return None
+
 
         if event.event_id in always_include_ids:
             return event