Automattic

News Summary:

On August 4, 2026, Automattic's publishing platform Newspack helped Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) protect its stories; HKFP, founded in 2015, operates as the city’s only independent English-language news source amidst a declining World Press Freedom Index. Also on August 4, Automattic's Happiness Engineer Zach Spears completed Brickomattic, a collection of LEGO kits creating hangable versions of logos from Automattic's products, as part of a "Radical Speed Month" initiative. Previously, on July 30, Black Nova Designs in Calne received recognition as an Expert Partner by WooCommerce, Jetpack, and Pressable, placing the company among selected agencies delivering technical excellence across WordPress and WooCommerce. This followed WP Engine's request on July 29 for a federal court to sanction Automattic and CEO Matt Mullenweg, and dismiss trademark counterclaims. WP Engine alleged Automattic destroyed evidence, specifically Mullenweg’s WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram messages from September 2024, central to an ongoing dispute, and misrepresented preservation efforts. Earlier, on July 27, a proposed class action against Automattic proceeded after a federal judge ruled that two WP Engine customers adequately alleged Automattic knowingly disrupted their hosting contracts with WP Engine, surviving a second motion to dismiss.