Automattic Cuts WordPress Hours as Tensions with WP Engine Escalate

Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, announced it will reduce its contributions to the WordPress open-source project.

This decision comes after the company criticized third-party hosting platform WP Engine for its own contributions to the ecosystem.

Automattic says it will now contribute only 45 hours per week, a sharp decline from its previous 3,988 hours per week.

The company explains that it is scaling back its involvement to match the amount of time spent by companies like WP Engine.

Automattic’s contributions will focus on security and critical updates. This move is part of the Five for the Future program, which encourages companies to contribute 5% of their resources to WordPress.org.

Automattic’s CEO, Matt Mullenweg, has been vocal in his criticism of WP Engine, even calling the company a “cancer” to the WordPress community.

The reduction in Automattic’s contributions is tied to ongoing legal disputes with WP Engine. The company claims the legal battle has diverted significant resources and time away from supporting WordPress’s growth.

The legal issues began when WP Engine sued Automattic and Mullenweg after he publicly criticized the company and took control of its ACF plugin. A judge ruled in favor of WP Engine, granting a preliminary injunction against Mullenweg, stating his actions were designed to disrupt the company.

Additionally, Automattic has faced internal challenges. Several employees left the company after it offered buyouts to staff who disagreed with its stance against WP Engine.

This week, Mullenweg also disbanded the WordPress project’s sustainability team, which has drawn criticism from the WordPress community.

Automattic hopes that WP Engine will reconsider its legal actions, allowing the company to refocus its efforts on supporting the broader WordPress ecosystem.