Q. Can Core Contributors continue to log in if they're affiliated with WP Engine? A. We can't answer that. Please don't ask.
Q. Do contributors need to sign a CLA? A. No.
Q. Can GitHub users send a Pull Request if they're affiliate with WP Engine? A. (After much wailing and gnashing of teeth) We don't know. No one from WordPress will tell the volunteers anything.
I think they are saying that you didn't provide your data to WordPress.org to access Slack and that WordPress.org doesn't have an agreement with Slack but you do. Are they really saying that you need to talk to Slack? Seems unlikely (given it appears they unlocked your slack account) but might be worth checking (Did someone on slack just restore you access to WordPress channels) .
How did you register for the access to Slack ?
This is a common issue. e. g is a group on Facebook covered by a data request to an org if the org doesn't keep a copy of your data off Facebook
A few weeks ago, I got a chance to speak truth to power. I used my WordPress.org account to sign in to the official WordPress.org Slack where the various WordPress dramas were being discussed.
I don't understand this statement from them "WordPress.org is privately owned by a person, not by a registered or covered entity." because that doesn't matter. Referreing to the ICO website ico.org.uk/for-organisations/u… I quote
Some things are not listed here as exemptions, although in practice they work a bit like an exemption. This is simply because they are not covered by the UK GDPR. Here are some examples: "Domestic purposes – personal data processed in the course of a purely personal or household activity, with no connection to a professional or commercial activity, is outside the UK GDPR’s scope. This means that if you only use personal data for such things as writing to friends and family or taking pictures for your own enjoyment, you are not subject to the UK GDPR."
The data has to be "with no connection to a professional or commercial activity" to be outside the UK GDPR’s scope - Running a Open Source project would not be "personal or household activity"
I'm suddenly wondering if you're dealing with a furry - because I've seen this "loophole" used extensively in that space (usually for harassment, or to justify not taking action against an abuser).
Basically the "loophole" is: we don't manage the volunteer group, it's entirely voluntary, therefore it's up to individuals how they behave and whether they'd stop their abuse.
Schrodinger's organisation: there's one when it suits us, but when it doesn't, we're a bunch of independent people.
This entry was edited (Friday, May 9, 2025, 3:59 PM)
Agreed, but they think they've found a loophole and well, nothing short of a judge and an expensive civil or criminal case will tell them otherwise - and they'll still play the victim after.
edit: and in the case of en-GB we all know that the ICO won't do anything.
This entry was edited (Friday, May 9, 2025, 4:01 PM)
Wierd they are only considering where records use your 'likeness' that implies image but its actually any record where you can be personally identified regardless whether it includes your name or image. Hence if you have an email trail that includes emails where you are only referred to as "that man" but the wider mail trail includes your name you should have access to all emails
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •I tried asking three questions of #WordPress.
Q. Can Core Contributors continue to log in if they're affiliated with WP Engine?
A. We can't answer that. Please don't ask.
Q. Do contributors need to sign a CLA?
A. No.
Q. Can GitHub users send a Pull Request if they're affiliate with WP Engine?
A. (After much wailing and gnashing of teeth) We don't know. No one from WordPress will tell the volunteers anything.
Very dispiriting.
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Currently on over 130 replies to a question about WTF is going on.
Zero answers.
I've never seen an organisation spread FUD about *itself* before!
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •I reckon we're a few days away from Matt forcing a banner onto the dashboard of every self-hosted WordPress instance.
(This is rampant speculation with no evidence behind it.)
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Well, I tried.
I await my inevitable banning from #WordPress for Lèse-majesté.
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •As tediously predicted. Had lots of positive reactions to my message. But, of course, no dissent is tolerated in Open Source…⸮
Why do these tech-bros have such thin skins?
#WordPress
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Sensitive content
…DSAR sent to to WordPress's GDPR team regarding this decision.
I wonder if they'll actually comply with the law?
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Sensitive content
Apparently the DPO at WordPress thinks messages related to a decision taken about me are exempt because… they're *internal* messages.
Well, yeah, I can read my public messages. I want to know what they said about me.
No doubt it'll bat back and forth until I have to get a regulator involved.
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •I finally got WordPress's DPO to see sense!
Looks like Matt is the sole arbiter of who gets to use the WordPress community slack.
#WPDrama #WordPress
Terence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •I asked the #WordPress Data Protection team for a copy of my information from their official Slack - linked to from make.wordpress.org/chat/
This is the nonsense they came back with.
I have a feeling that they aren't even slightly #GDPR compliant!
WordPress Chat
WordPress ChatTerence Eden
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Sensitive content
And, after all that, they've belated decided that having a mad king play with the ban-hammer isnt the best way to run a community!
Terence Eden reshared this.
Ross Burton
in reply to Terence Eden • • •Sensitive content
Terence Eden
in reply to Ross Burton • • •Sensitive content
abeorch
in reply to Terence Eden • •I think they are saying that you didn't provide your data to WordPress.org to access Slack and that WordPress.org doesn't have an agreement with Slack but you do. Are they really saying that you need to talk to Slack? Seems unlikely (given it appears they unlocked your slack account) but might be worth checking (Did someone on slack just restore you access to WordPress channels) .
How did you register for the access to Slack ?
This is a common issue. e. g is a group on Facebook covered by a data request to an org if the org doesn't keep a copy of your data off Facebook
Terence Eden
in reply to abeorch • • •See shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/12/is-wo…
Is WordPress.org GDPR compliant?
Terence Eden’s Blogabeorch
in reply to Terence Eden • •I don't understand this statement from them "WordPress.org is privately owned by a person, not by a registered or covered entity." because that doesn't matter. Referreing to the ICO website ico.org.uk/for-organisations/u… I quote
Some things are not listed here as exemptions, although in practice they work a bit like an exemption. This is simply because they are not covered by the UK GDPR. Here are some examples:
"Domestic purposes – personal data processed in the course of a purely personal or household activity, with no connection to a professional or commercial activity, is outside the UK GDPR’s scope. This means that if you only use personal data for such things as writing to friends and family or taking pictures for your own enjoyment, you are not subject to the UK GDPR."
The data has to be "with no connection to a professional or commercial activity" to be outside the UK GDPR’s scope - Running a Open Source project would not be "personal or household activity"
Terence Eden likes this.
Phil M0OFX
in reply to Terence Eden • • •I'm suddenly wondering if you're dealing with a furry - because I've seen this "loophole" used extensively in that space (usually for harassment, or to justify not taking action against an abuser).
Basically the "loophole" is: we don't manage the volunteer group, it's entirely voluntary, therefore it's up to individuals how they behave and whether they'd stop their abuse.
Schrodinger's organisation: there's one when it suits us, but when it doesn't, we're a bunch of independent people.
abeorch
in reply to Phil M0OFX • •Phil M0OFX
in reply to abeorch • • •Agreed, but they think they've found a loophole and well, nothing short of a judge and an expensive civil or criminal case will tell them otherwise - and they'll still play the victim after.
edit: and in the case of en-GB we all know that the ICO won't do anything.
abeorch
in reply to Phil M0OFX • •abeorch
in reply to Terence Eden • •Terence Eden likes this.
abeorch
in reply to Terence Eden • •