Privacy Concerns in the Ongoing WordPress-WP Engine Dispute: What Users Should Know

Privacy Concerns in the Ongoing WordPress-WP Engine Dispute: What Users Should Know
Photo by Fikret tozak / Unsplash

The recent legal and commercial battle between WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg and WP Engine has raised several privacy concerns, especially regarding the control and security of user data. With WordPress forking WP Engine’s Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) plugin into Secure Custom Fields (SCF), users are now questioning the implications this may have on their data privacy, plugin updates, and security.

1. Data Ownership and Control
One of the primary concerns revolves around data ownership. WP Engine had previously maintained ACF, a widely-used plugin by developers to add custom fields to WordPress websites. With WordPress now controlling SCF, there is a growing concern about how user data previously managed by ACF will be handled moving forward. Users might be uncomfortable with a third party (Automattic, in this case) taking over a plugin they once trusted, potentially leading to the risk of data misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive information stored through these custom fields.

2. Transparency and Consent
The abrupt transition from ACF to SCF raises serious questions about consent and transparency. Many users relied on ACF for years, confident in WP Engine’s management and privacy policies. However, WordPress’s unilateral decision to fork and rebrand the plugin without user input can create distrust. As more plugins are integrated into WordPress's ecosystem, the concern is whether users are given proper notification or consent when changes occur that may affect their data security.

3. Security Vulnerabilities
While Mullenweg cited a security vulnerability as the reason for forking ACF, WP Engine had reportedly patched the issue prior to the transition. This inconsistency creates uncertainty regarding whether the fork was genuinely necessary for user security or part of a broader commercial dispute. Users are left to wonder if SCF is truly more secure or if they should worry about other potential vulnerabilities introduced in the process of forking the plugin. Moreover, with WordPress barring WP Engine from updating the plugin on its platform, users must now rely on the security protocols of SCF, without WP Engine’s oversight.

4. Plugin Updates and Privacy Risks
WordPress’s decision to remove WP Engine’s access to the WordPress plugin directory also impacts how users will receive updates. Since SCF will be the default update source, users who don’t switch may miss critical updates, increasing their risk of vulnerabilities. This shift forces users into a difficult position: either trust WordPress with data privacy and security or follow a more complicated update process via WP Engine’s new platform.

5. Implications for Open-Source Projects and User Data
The bigger privacy concern here stems from how open-source projects are managed and what this dispute means for users. When plugins—especially those handling sensitive information—are forcefully taken over by large organizations like Automattic, it sends a signal to the open-source community about control. If users feel that their data is no longer secure or in the hands of trusted developers, they may reconsider using certain plugins or even the platform itself, fearing potential misuse of their information.

What Can Users Do?
Users concerned about their privacy in this ongoing conflict between WordPress and WP Engine should consider the following:

  • Review Plugin Privacy Policies: Users should check how Secure Custom Fields handles data, especially if migrating from ACF.
  • Backup Data Regularly: To ensure data security, it’s always a good idea to create backups, particularly when relying on plugins that manage critical site information.
  • Monitor Plugin Updates: Ensure that the plugins being used are regularly updated with security patches, and that those updates come from a trusted source.
  • Consult Legal and Security Experts: If the plugin in question handles highly sensitive or private information, users may want to consult legal or cybersecurity professionals to assess potential risks of data exposure.

History of Wordpress and WP Engine

Similar disputes have happened before between WordPress and companies like WP Engine, although not quite to the same extent as the current situation with the ACF plugin.

One notable conflict occurred in 2015, when WP Engine had disagreements with WordPress over security-related issues. Back then, the WordPress community became aware that WP Engine had introduced some of its own modifications to WordPress core code for security purposes. This led to tension, as it was seen as a move that could break the open-source spirit of WordPress and lead to fragmented versions of the platform​

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Additionally, in 2017, Automattic (WordPress’s parent company) and WP Engine clashed when WP Engine decided to move some of its proprietary hosting tools away from WordPress's open-source ecosystem, which Mullenweg criticized as a move against the collaborative nature of open-source projects. These disagreements were less publicized but hinted at a long-standing tension regarding how much WP Engine should contribute to the WordPress ecosystem versus capitalizing on its success.

However, the current situation—where WordPress forked a popular plugin owned by WP Engine and rebranded it—is unprecedented in its scale. The ACF plugin’s forced transition into "Secure Custom Fields" without WP Engine's consent has sparked much greater concern from the open-source community. As of now, it marks one of the most significant disputes involving the WordPress ecosystem and a third-party company​

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These conflicts underscore the ongoing tension between commercial entities like WP Engine that rely on WordPress for their business models and the WordPress community, which prioritizes open-source contributions and shared development.

In conclusion, while the dispute between WordPress and WP Engine might appear technical, it holds significant privacy implications for users, particularly regarding control over sensitive data and the transparency of plugin updates. As open-source platforms like WordPress navigate commercial and legal challenges, users must remain vigilant to protect their privacy and data security.

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