A rift is growing in the WordPress community as WordCamp organizers resist Automattic’s request to hand over social media credentials and remove specific posts.
Automattic, led by CEO and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg, asked organizers to share logins to ensure consistent access, citing issues with new teams losing control of event social accounts. However, given the current climate, this request has met with strong opposition.
The timing of this move is critical. It comes amid a clash between Mullenweg and WP Engine, a major WordPress hosting provider. Mullenweg has pushed WP Engine to either license the WordPress trademark or contribute more resources to the open-source project, arguing the company profits without sufficient community investment.
WP Engine contends it does plenty, with supporters like WordCamp Sydney backing its involvement. However, WordCamp Sydney organizers faced pressure to remove supportive posts, as Automattic staff claimed the content didn’t align with the “Community Team’s view.”
The requirement to share social media logins and the takedown request left some WordCamp organizers feeling threatened. Sources say Sydney WordCamp volunteers viewed the request as an overreach, with potential consequences for non-compliance. Kellie Peterson, former head of domains at Automattic, described the letters as part of an ongoing effort by Mullenweg to control narratives around WordPress.
Peterson and others see this move as potentially damaging to the WordPress community. Volunteers who invest countless hours feel that arbitrary rules and controls undermine their efforts, especially as Automattic hasn’t enforced such requirements in the past. Peterson argues this push for control has led to stagnation and disengagement within WordPress.
With WordCamp Sydney now facing lower-than-expected ticket sales, organizers express frustration that their community efforts have been compromised by issues beyond their control. This tension between volunteers and Automattic highlights the need for balance—one that favors collaboration over control.
