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Automattic Cuts WordPress Contribution Hours, Blames WP Engine
Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, has announced a significant reduction in its contributions to the WordPress open-source project. According to a statement released on Thursday, Automattic will now only contribute around 45 hours per week to the ecosystem, down from a previously undisclosed 3,988 hours.
The decision comes after Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullenweg, has been engaged in an ongoing feud with third-party hosting platform WP Engine. In a statement, Automattic attributed the cutback to “the significant time and money” related to the ongoing legal battle with WP Engine. The company also cited “intense criticism” it has faced from members of the community who have called for Mullenweg to step away from his role in the WordPress project.
Automattic’s decision is part of a larger controversy surrounding the company’s involvement in the WordPress ecosystem. Tensions between Automattic and WP Engine escalated last year when Mullenweg launched a public campaign against the company, taking over its ACF plugin. WP Engine subsequently filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Mullenweg, alleging that his actions were designed to induce breach or disruption.
The move has sparked criticism from within the community, with some calling for Mullenweg’s departure from the project. The decision also comes as Automattic is set to shutter its sustainability team, which was established in 2020.
Source: www.theverge.com
