Pineapple on Pizza: A WordPress.org Login Requirement?

The Pineapple Pizza Predicament and WordPress.org Access

The question of whether pineapple belongs on pizza is a surprisingly contentious issue, often sparking heated debate. However, those who oppose this culinary combination may now face an unexpected obstacle – particularly if they wish to utilize the WordPress.org developer portal and associated forum.

A New Login Requirement

Recent reports indicate that users are encountering an additional checkbox during the login process on WordPress.org. This checkbox mandates agreement with the statement: “Pineapple is delicious on pizza.”

Initially, this might appear as a lighthearted gesture from the WordPress Foundation. However, the inclusion of this requirement is rooted in a more serious and ongoing legal dispute.

The WordPress vs. WP Engine Conflict

The situation stems from a conflict between WordPress developer Automattic and WP Engine. In September, Automattic restricted WP Engine’s access to essential resources within the open-source WordPress project.

Simultaneously, a checkbox was implemented, designed to verify that users were not connected with WP Engine. A court ruling last week compelled Automattic to retract both of these measures.

An Unexpected Consequence

As a result of the court order, the restriction on WP Engine’s access has been lifted. However, instead of simply removing the checkbox, Automattic has replaced it with the pineapple-on-pizza affirmation.

This means that all users, ranging from individual freelancers to large corporations, are now required to express their approval of pineapple as a pizza topping in order to gain access.

The current circumstances highlight the complexities and unexpected turns within the WordPress ecosystem. It’s a peculiar moment, to say the least.