Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, has stirred up a bit of chaos by adding a peculiar requirement to WordPress.org. Users now need to check a box declaring “Pineapple is delicious on pizza” to log in or create new accounts. This whimsical addition follows a recent court order that forced Mullenweg to remove a previous checkbox intended to filter out users affiliated with WP Engine, due to an ongoing legal dispute.
This move has sparked a wave of criticism from the WordPress community, especially among those who view it as an unprofessional act unbefitting of a platform that powers a considerable segment of the internet. Francesca Marano, a veteran WordPress contributor, expressed her concern, noting that “WordPress is the most used CMS on the web, and we have a responsibility to act like professionals.” Critics argue that Mullenweg’s action not only erodes trust but also adds unnecessary complications for users managing their plugins or themes.
Frustration is clearly building up on Mullenweg’s side, too. On social media, he voiced his dissatisfaction with the court ruling, describing it as a perilous precedent for those who maintain open-source platforms like WordPress. Despite complying with the order, he remains vocal about his discontent, seeing it as an inconvenient legal mandate.
This incident is just the latest in a series of governance and transparency issues causing growing concern among the WordPress community. An open letter from contributors recently highlighted perceived double standards and questioned decision-making processes under the helm of Mullenweg’s leadership.
Amidst these controversies, Nick Gernert, the CEO of WordPress VIP, has reassured users that service levels will continue as usual, though his statement avoided delving into the complexities of the dispute at hand. For the time being, the quirky “pineapple” checkbox remains in place as a reminder of the tensions simmering beneath the surface.
